Suthep denies PPP mass defection reports

Suthep denied that any PPP MPs had contacted the Democrats to talk about joining the party.

"I do not believe that MPs under Newin can work with us because we have totally different ideologies,'' Suthep said.

He pointed out the PPP's move to amend the charter to restrict the right to peaceful gathering is for instance unacceptable by the Democrats.

He offered his analysis that the rumours could be released to divert attention, or to vie for the leadership in the PPP or a tactic to seek more money in return for defection.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob, the father of Newin also denied the report saying Newin was a target of mudslinging. He said his son still faced the five year ban from politics and could not engage in such political activity.

Reports had said that Newin decided to betray fomer prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra by leading some PPP MPs to form a government with the Democrats after seeing Thaksin facing a doomed future as a result of graft cases against him.