Democrats wary that MPs will be lured by Bt50m "sick leave"

The Democrats are worried about a Bt50 million last-ditch bid to derail today's election for their party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as prime minister.

"Party secretary-general Suthep Thuagsuban has confirmed the payments to MPs if they agree to take sick leave during the show of hands for prime minister," party spokesman Buranat Samuttharak said yesterday.

The Democrats want to remind authorities to ensure a peaceful House session, otherwise they will skip the meeting if violence erupts, he said.

Suthep reported to the Democrats that their coalition would likely reach 260 votes.

"Party leader Abhisit will definitely become the 27th prime minister of Thailand," he said.

The Democrats have already gathered 242 votes and expect to solicit more before the polling.

The coalition has 167 Democrat votes, followed by 21 from Puea Pandin, 13 from Chart Thai, nine from Matchima Thipataya, eight from Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, 22 from the Friends of Newin group and two from the Sora-at Klingpratoom faction.

Suthep said he anticipated that more undecided MPs from the disbanded People Power Party would swing to the Democrat side, including 12 from the Friends of Newin faction who are now under the Pheu Thai banner and six who have joined the Social Action Party.

In a bid to counter the Pheu Thai lobbying drive, the Democrat whips have been assigned to ensure discipline, with one looking after five Democrats.

All Democrat MPs without homes in the capital have been billeted together at a hotel on Pradipat Road. They will travel from their hotel to the House on transportation arranged by the party.

The Friends of Newin MPs have been staying at another hotel on Sri Ayutthaya Road. These groups of MPs are expected to arrive at the House at about the same time.

About 1,200 police will be deployed to keep peace at Parliament House, Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt General Suchart Muenkaew said.

The anti-riot forces will beef up security from yesterday afternoon to today's conclusion of the House session, he said.

Police did not anticipate any violence breaking out. Throngs might show up to demonstrate in support of their candidates for prime minister but they are not expected to cause any trouble, he said.

The House is scheduled to convene at 9.30am to vote on who should be the next prime minister via a roll call that should take about an hour to complete.

The Pheu Thai Party resolved unanimously to support the forming of a national government under the premiership of Puea Pandin Party leader Pracha Promnok.

The proposal to nominate Pracha as prime minister had been advanced by Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong.

Deputy House Speaker Apiwan Wiriyachai has been tasked to monitor the situation with the aim to foil any attempts designed to prevent Pheu Thai MPs from voting for Pracha.

Pheu Thai MPs have claimed they are targeted for abduction so as to undermine their bloc's votes.

Apiwan said he has received a deluge of complaints from MPs that fierce men who look like soldiers are stalking them.

He was concerned about reports on the political involvement of certain military leaders who might try to hijack democracy by preventing a clean vote for prime minister.

Public Health Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung expressed full confidence that Pheu Thai will win the majority to outpace the Democrats in the formation of a ruling coalition.

Chalerm predicted that the Democrats would lose by a small margin of eight to 10 votes.

He said that even with the support of the Friends of Newin, a Democrat-led coalition is nothing but a pipedream.

Faction leader Newin Chidchob should wake up to the reality of his uphill battle, he said. Instead of trying to broker a coalition alliance, Newin should try to repay his Bt30 million political loan, he said.

Newin had borrowed his money in 1996 when they met at the home of media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul, he said.

All MPs from the faction have successfully travelled from their constituencies to Bangkok, MP Boonchong Wongtrairat said.

The faction's MPs are ready to cast their votes in support of the Democrat-led coalition, he said. Their early arrival at the capital was necessary in order to avoid the blockade being thrown up by the red-shirted crowds, he added.