Democrats see Bt120m windfall

Among the largest benefactors was secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, now also deputy prime minister. He gave Bt5.51 million  while his son Tan pitched in with Bt8 million.

Donors were mostly party MPs, chipping in Bt5,000-Bt10,000 each. However, some were more lavish, gifting over Bt1 million. They included Thaworn Senneam from Songkhla, now deputy interior minister, Apimongkol Sonagul and Ong-art Klampaiboon from Bangkok, Prakob Chirakiti, on the party-list, Chumpol Julsai from Chumphon, Thepthai Senpong from Nakhon Si Thammarat and Nataphol Teepsuwan, the party's director.

Among corporate patrons, Saint Louise Holding presented Bt3 million. Other companies included Preuksa Real Estate, Pairojsompongpanitch Partnership, True Vision, Major Cineplex Group, ATN Property and Pyramid Concrete.

The party held a fund-raising event in November when it was the sole opposition party. From January to November, the Democrats collected a total of Bt150,346,000.

The People Power Party, the former leading government party but now defunct, received Bt10 million in the same month, bringing its year-to-date total to Bt49.5 million.

The PPP's coalition partner, the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party, took in Bt3.7 million in November and Bt28.5 million since January. The Social Action Party logged Bt20,000 in November and Bt220,000 since January.

The law prohibits a person or juristic entity from donating more than Bt10 million annually to a political party, while a party's leader or executive, or an executive of a party's branch, is banned from accepting over Bt10 million annually.