Chat ThaiDemocrat alliance intact: Abhisit

"We have been working together for a long time and will constinue to do so as I find no cause to question our alliance," he said.

Abhisit and Banharn are scheduled to meet over dinner this evening.

Abhisit said he would discuss topics of mutual interests to the two parties but not touching on Banharn's loyalty.

He played down speculation that after the balloting, Banharn might abandon the Democrats to team up with politicians ousted by the September 19 coup to form the next coalition government.

Chat Thai deputy leader Kanchana Silapaarcha said her father and party leader Banharn repeatedly confirmed the alliance.

"Anyone with the ability to understand Thai would have known that the alliance of former opposition parties has always stayed intact," she said.

She said she saw no justification to question whether Banharn would become an ally of the People Power Party following the polls.

She also revealed that she had submitted her resignation as lawmaker in the National Legislative Assembly in order to contest the general election.

The Nation