Pro-govt protester vow to march to Constitution Court

Jatuporn Promphan, a leader of progovernment demonstrators, also suggested that the government might  dissolve Parliament ahead of the court's verdict.

Thousands of DAAD supporters yesterday rallied in front of Bangkok's City Hall but leaders said they might move to Democracy Monument if lots of people join them.

The rally could last many days but it would temporarily halt on Friday, His Majesty the King's birthday, according to Jatuporn.

The Constitution Court is scheduled to have the leaders of People Power, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties make their closing statements in the party dissolution cases this week.

The court has not scheduled any hearings as it said it had seen enough evidence.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, as People Power Party leader, was preparing to peti¬tion the Constitution Court to give the party more time to defend itself.

Somchai said the case was "rushed". As a former judge, he believed the court should allow the plaintiffs and defendants to present all the evidence.

Somchai made his remarks when he visited Nakhon Phanom to pay his respects to Phra That Phanom pago¬da.

Meanwhile, the Puea Thai Party will hold a general meeting on Thursday to select its executive mem¬bers.

The political party is on standby and ready to form a new government if People Power Party is disbanded by the Constitution Court.

Puea Thai has attracted many  government MPs who are to leave People Power tomorrow, spokesman Sakda Noppasit said yesterday.

"We're ready to be the new home for these MPs once their parties are dis¬banded," he said.

The executive board would com¬prise 1329 members, who must be prepared to face all kinds of political situations, Sakda said. The new party leader could be a man or woman.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's sister Yingluck and his cousin Chaiyasit are among the can¬didates. Suchart Thadathamrongvech resigned as party leader last month.