Suthep wary about 'sabotage plan'

Democrat Party secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban voiced concern yesterday about the phone-in former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is due to make to supporters at a rally tomorrow.

However, Suthep was confident Thaksin's stunt would not upset the formation of a Democrat-led government.

"I am concerned a little because Thaksin is a powerful man," Suthep admitted.

He said the Democrats had to remain vigilant to prevent Thaksin from having his way to form an alliance led by the Pheu Thai Party.

He repeated his assessment that a majority of House MPs would vote to install Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as prime minister early next week.

Even Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong has admitted his idea to form a national unity government had hit a dead-end, Suthep said.

The Democrats would not let their guard down in pushing for the Abhisit government even in the absence of a competitive alternative, he said.

Meanwhile, Veera Musigapong, a leader of the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, said yesterday that it was likely the ex-premier would try to persuade defecting MPs from the disbanded People Power Party to return to support a Pheu Thai coalition.

Nattawut Saikua, a fellow co-host of the 'Truth Today' TV talk-show, said Thaksin would talk about "unnatural political events", among other topics, during a phone-in address to his supporters, due to begin at 8pm tomorrow. He said Thaksin would get unlimited time to talk to the gathering at Supachalasai Stadium.

In a related development, Kwanchai Praipana, leader of the pro-Thaksin Kon Rak Udon group, said yesterday the former PM would also talk about his former close aide Newin Chidchob during the phone-in. He said Thaksin was upset with Newin's decision to support the opposition Democrats' bid to form a new government.

A source close to Newin said yesterday that the banned politician had moved to a "safe house" in Bangkok due to repeated threats to his life after he announced his decision to back the Democrats' coalition.

Certain Northeastern MPs loyal to Newin over the past week came under strong attack from pro-Thaksin "red-shirt people". A grenade was thrown into the compound of a house in Nakhon Ratchasima belonging to Bunjong Wongtrairat, an MP from the 'Friends of Newin' faction.