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Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban swore that there had been no Cabinet positions for sale as had been alleged. He said he would resign from his posts if any party member would come forward to confirm that he had offered any Cabinet seat for sale.

"If there is anyone from the party who can confirm that I sold any Cabinet seat, I will resign from all my positions in the Democrat Party," Suthep said.

He said that Nipit Intarasom-bat, a Democrat MP from Phatthalung, might have been misinterpreted when he complained about the appointment of Virachai Virameteekul, who has connections with the giant conglomerate Charoen Pokphand Group, as PM's Office minister.

Nipit reportedly said that Virachai had been instrumental in raising donations of Bt500 million for the Democrat Party.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also rejected as groundless the suggestion that Virachai had been appointed because of his donation to the party.

"He has never made donations to the party. In principle, the party raises funds and obtains donations from time to time," Abhisit said.

"I insist that there was no bargaining with any financiers for Cabinet posts. I sympathise with certain Democrat members who have failed to get appointed to the Cabinet. There are not positions for everyone, but I believe there will also be chances; my encouragement to everyone."

Deputy Democrat leader Jurin Laksanawisit, who is the education minister in the new government, said that a Cabinet line-up was unlikely to completely satisfy the public. However, he said that people had the right to show their disappointment and he welcomed the reactions.

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondet agreed that it was "difficult to get the best Cabinet". However, he said the public should allow the new PM and his ministers time to prove their capability, particularly in dealing with the economic problems.