Pheu Thai challenges Niphon on Koh Samui

"We will show him that since the land title deeds are not lawful, he cannot possess the land. We will see if he has the spirit (to step down) or he will wait till he is prosecuted," Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, another deputy leader of the Democrat Party, first got caught up in the Samui land scandal. He was grilled in the recent censure debate over land on the island that he allegedly bought through his son Taen as a nominee.

The focus of the controversy now has shifted to his distant relative Niphon over his right to land at Khao Paeng in Koh Samui.

Prompong said the party inspected the legal transactions concerning the sale of 10 rai to Niphon by Ruangpanya Partnership and found that the "Sor Kor 1" title deed to this plot had gone missing.

Niphon had earlier asked Chamlong Phopet, a Samui land official, to bring him the deed but the official said he had already given it to Niphon.

The opposition questioned if Niphon rightfully owns the land since the Sor Kor 1 was missing and his Nor Sor 3 land title deed may not be lawful.

Prompong said he would take evidence concerning the transactions of the land purchase to show Niphon today.

The opposition party will tomorrow forward the same information to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who promised to get to the bottom of the land controversy within one month. He urged Abhisit to appoint a panel to probe the allegation.

"Had this problem concerned other parties, the PM would have done that already. But because it concerns Suthep's son, he has done nothing. Do not apply double standards," Prompong said.

Abhisit said the complaint concerning the land allegation was already lodged with the National Anti-Corruption Commission. The politicians named would have to clear themselves with the anti-graft agency. The complaint had also reached Government House and he has already assigned a legal team to look into the matter and take the next step.

"Everything will be handled straightforwardly with no favouritism. Suthep and Niphon know that," he said.

A Democrat-led government, under then PM Chuan Leekpai, was once toppled by a Sor Por Kor land controversy.

Abhisit refused to say if history would repeat itself.