Pheu Thai seeks probe over red-carded MP

"Democrat executives, like Abhisit Vejjajiva, Chuan Leekpai, Banyat Bantadtan, Pichet Panvichartkul and Alongkorn Ponlaboot, have condoned the wrongdoing committed by Sarocha," Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.

Party leader Abhisit, chief adviser Chuan and three leading Democrats, Banyat, Pichet and Alongkorn, were involved in campaigning on Sarocha's behalf when the vote-buying happened during the by-election race in January, Prompong said.

The party's petition is to be lodged with the Election Commission which has issued a red card against Soracha.

The EC's ruling to disqualify Soracha's balloting outcome is presently under review by the Council of State.

Abhisit's spokesman Thepthai Senpong said his party leader and leading Democrats were not linked to the alleged wrongdoing.

Thepthai said the main opposition party was trying to blow the issue out of proportion as part of a smear campaign since Sorocha's red card was still under the review process and the EC had found no linkage between the main coalition party and the alleged electoral fraud.