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Published on December 5, 2007

He risks being charged with contempt of court and libel related to his fiery remarks following the court's sentence.

The Criminal Court yesterday summoned the embattled Prachai to testify in a hearing on Friday before ruling on whether to hold him for contempt relating to his remarks about his conviction being influenced by the "old power" clique, the euphemism for the ousted Thaksin Shinawatra administration.

People Power Party deputy secretary-general Noppadon Pattama, who is also a legal adviser to former prime minister Thaksin, said Thaksin's legal team would also sue Prachai for libel.

Election Commissioner Sodsri Satayatham meanwhile said: "The Election Commission [EC] will summon Prachai to clarify his remark last week that EC officers demanded Bt60 million from him.

"If he does not clarify his accusation and does not send a written apology to the EC, the commission will also sue him, she said.

Prachai was sentenced on Monday before his temporary release on bail pending his appellate review.

He blamed his unfavourable verdict on the ousted government that still wielded formidable influence across the country.

Court clerk Than Boonya-tulanont said chief justice Withoon Khlongmeekhun wanted Prachai to clarify whether he meant the court lacked impartiality.

Prachai announced his resignation from his party membership publicly yesterday. However, he changed his mind later, saying he would decide in a few days.

Prachai was speaking after a meeting with his wife Orapin, his younger brother Pramuan Leophairatana, his deputies Sunthorn Wilawan and Intarat Yodbangtoey and secretary-general Anongwan Thepsuthin. About 50 MP candidates also attended the meeting. Anong-wan refused to accept Prachai's resignation letter.

Meanwhile, the meeting tried to give Prachai moral support. Some candidates also laid prostrate at his feet to convince him to remain as party leader.

"Fight on, billionaire fighter. Don't leave your subordinates to die," shouted MP candidates in the meeting.

The meeting told the media that it supported Prachai's leadership unanimously.

Orapin said she would respect Prachai's decision. It was Prachai's first time in politics and she begged people to protect her husband's life.

It remains unclear whether Prachai will be allowed to remove himself from the race. Election law stipulates a mandatory stay after allocating ballot numbers. But a campaigning provision also stipulates that every candidate must adopt a party's banner to qualify for the race. If Prachai has already resigned his membership, he might be able to quit the race because of disqualification.

Sodsri said Prachai must file the resignation letter to the party's registrar and could let his deputy take care of his work.

When the resignation is complete, he will be disqualified for the election and only nine candidates will remain in the party's proportionate MP candidate lists for Zone 6.

However, the EC will inform Bangkok authorities to remove Prachai's campaign posters as they might be considered as deceiving people and which punishment could mean the party's dissolution, she said.

Matchima Thipataya director, Arak Rojnutama said the party had begun removing some posters to protect the party. The posters featured the picture of Prachai alone as proportionate MP candidate.

Kesinee Taengkhieo,

 Attayuth Butrsripoom

 The Nation