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Published on November 2, 2007

Chat Thai party deputy leader Chuwit Kamolvisit met Pracharaj Party head Snoh Thienthong yesterday amid speculation he might be expelled from his party in the near future.

Chuwit went to Snoh's residence near Bangkok for lunch with other key members of Pracharaj.

Snoh played down the visit and said Chuwit was merely paying his respects, but he said Chuwit was welcome to join Pracharaj whenever he wanted.

Chuwit said he visited Snoh to consult with him on political matters. He said Snoh advised him to adjust himself to his political situation.

He would not say if he was planning to join Snoh at Pracharaj, but he said the two men would remain allies.

Chuwit's visit came hot on the heels of rumours Chat Thai was considering expelling him from the party.

On Saturday, Chuwit lashed out at Banharn Silapa-archa, his party leader, for allowing only his family members to make party decisions.

He also vowed not to contest the general election even if Banharn agreed to put his name at the top of the party-list of candidates for proportionate voting in Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Korn Dabaransi officially became the latest member of the rapidly-expanding Chat Thai Party yesterday.

Party leader Banharn greeted him on his arrival at party headquarters and said he was glad to see Korn return to Chat Thai after such a long absence.

He said they remained on good terms since Korn's departure from the party.

Korn, who quit as deputy leader of the Pracharaj Party on Wednesday, is the latest defector to Chat Thai after Sanan Kachornprasart and 15 other Mahachon Party colleagues defected on Monday.

Banharn said he would also like Snoh to leave Pracharaj for Chat Thai.

Also yesterday, the For the Motherland Party introduced former deputy Army chief General Vichit Yathip as its deputy leader.

Party leader Suwit Khunkitti said Vichit had been working with General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh and enjoyed good relations with party members.

"He wants to be the key to unlock the country's political dead-end.

"To us he is a diamond because he grew up in the grassroots and he can apply knowledge from the grassroots to the military,'' he said.

Vichit said he decided to join the party because of its reconciliation policy.

The Nation