Defectors 'offered millions' by Pheu Thai

The Pheu Thai Party has gone on the offensive to lure back defecting MPs in a desperate battle to form the next government ahead of the Democrats.

Party sources said several MPs in the Friends of Newin faction, who switched sides to join the Democrat-led coalition, were being offered a large amount of cash to change their mind.

"The last three days prior to the vote for the PM in Parliament [which may take place as early as Monday] is the most sensitive period," one source said yesterday.

"We heard that the financial incentives are very generous with an immediate Bt5-million down payment as soon as each of the MPs signs applications to join the new party.

"Another Bt25 million will be paid if the applications are approved and they become party members. Finally, each will get a last instalment of another Bt25 million after the vote for the PM," the source said.

Pheu Thai, backed by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, currently has around 193 MPs plus another five from the Pracharaj Party headed by Snoh Thienthong.

Pheu Thai was set up recently for former government MPs in case the People Power Party was disbanded for electoral violations. The Constitution Court ruled against the PPP last week.

Meanwhile, the Democrat Party says it has support from three minor parties from the former government and the Friends of Newin faction. It claimed to have a majority - about 240 MPs - and has sought to convene a special House session to elect Abhisit Vejjajiva, the Democrat leader, as the new prime minister.

Pheu Thai has assigned Sompong Amornwiwat and its leader Yongyuth Wichaidit to woo back former government MPs, with the emphasis on Newin's faction.

Pheu Thai believes that if enough MPs from this 37-member group leave the Democrats' coalition, it will kill their rivals' bid to form the new government.

Snoh, who remains a Pheu Thai ally, invited leaders of former government parties - namely, the Puea Pandin, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Chart Thai parties - to a grand dinner at his home in the Muang Thong Thani estate last night, but no prominent figures from these parties attended.

Snoh has proposed forming a national unity government headed by a minor party.

Earlier, it was reported that Pheu Thai expected to lure back more than 30 MPs after a cash injection from Thaksin.

A Pheu Thai source said about 18 defecting MPs from Newin's group, plus five from Puea Pandin and four from Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, would return to their side.

However, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said he was still confident his coalition would get about 40 MPs more than the Pheu Thai camp.

Currently, the House of Representatives has a total of 438 MPs.

Meanwhile, Thaksin, who is reportedly in the United Arab Emirates, is expected to try to upset any efforts to favour the Democrats taking office when he makes a public phone-in to supporters on Saturday.

Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Phrompan said yesterday the ex-PM would try to break up the Democrat coalition through comments on his phone-in session from overseas.

"Thaksin will lay bare all details, and after listening and seeing him via the teleconference, his supporters across the country will demand their MPs to return to the fold," he said.