January 4, 2008
BANGKOK - The Supreme Court has agreed to consider a case accusing the People Power Party (PPP) of being a proxy of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
The decision could jeopardise the future of the PPP even though it won 233 of the 480 seats in December 23 polls, according to AFP.
The PPP is made up of former members of Thaksin's dissolved Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party.
Actually, a case hearing against the PPP will be on January 15. But that was put off, according to an official at the Supreme Court.
Other complaints against the Election Commission (EC), which can lead to the poll being nullified, will be heard January 11 and 16.
"The judge yesterday ordered the court to hear three election fraud cases," said the court official, who did not want to be named.
"They are trying hard to topple us by asking the court to void the election," Samak said.
"There are many obstacles in politics because of the invisible and dirty hand," he told the Thai parliament radio station.
The most serious complaint was filed by Democrat Party candidate Chaiwat Sinsuwong, who asked the court to rule on whether PPP was a nominee of TRT, which would be unlawful as a tribunal disbanded TRT Party in May last year.
He also questioned whether PPP broke election law by distributing CDs featuring Thaksin, who has been living in exile since the coup. The PPP could be dissolved if the court rules in Chaiwat's favour.
The two cases against the EC relate to the legality of advance voting, which was held on December 15-16.
Samak said the EC's move was "an attempt to weaken the new government", adding that he was not overly concerned as candidates still had a chance to prove their innocence.
"Everything will be fine after they testify to the EC. I am confident the EC is working honestly," he said.
The PPP has been busy trying to form a coalition government that will give it a healthy majority in the lower house.
So far, it has been able to attract three small parties to its coalition, giving it a slim lead of 254 seats.
Chat Thai and Puea Paen Din Party are still considering whether to join forces with the PPP.
Three PPP politicians have already been disqualified for vote buying.
The Democrat Party came second in the polls with 165 seats. Six of their candidates are under investigation by the EC.
