Puea Pandin denies a secret coalition deal

"I have not been talking to the Democrat and the Chart Thai parties as has been reported," he said, adding that the groundless speculation about his party's linkage to Sonthi will sow distrust and confusion among the parties.

Rumours spreaded on Tuesday that party's former adviser Surakiart Sathirathai and Sonthi met over a dinner on Monday to discuss the fate of 111 banned party executives following the EC's ruling to prohibit their involvement in campaign activities.

Puea Pandin reportedly faced with adverse impacts from such ruling as its key advisers, including Surakiart, Suranand Vejjajiva, Preecha Laohapongchana and Pinij Charusombat were among the 111. The four subsequently resigned their respective positions.

Critics have perceived the party as Sonthi's proxy to catapult him into the next coalition government under a nonpartisan quota.

Sonthi said he had not had a meeting with Surakiart as alleged.

The Nation