The Prachakorn Thai Party will field candidates in all 400 constituencies to compete with the Thai Rak Thai Party, leader Sumit Sundaravej said yesterday.

He denied allegations that Thai Rak Thai had invited small parties to join the election by offering financial support.

"Thai Rak Thai dares not do that because it is illegal and the party can be dissolved," said Sumit, who is the younger brother of former Prachakorn Thai leader and ex-Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej.

The allegations against Thai Rak Thai have been rampant since the three major opposition parties boycotted the general election, fuelling fear the number of MPs to be elected will fall short of 500.

Executive board member and spokesman Sonthiya Sawassde said the party would focus on screening candidates to field in the southern provinces - the Democrat Party's stronghold. He said it has to screen them because of the number that applied.

Sumit said his party's election policies are self-sufficiency and supporting those people who cannot support themselves.

Sayomphu Kiatsayomphu, acting secretary-general of the Social Action Party, said it would target some constituencies in Bangkok, the Northeast and the South.

Thai Chuay Thai Party manager Pomat Jaroenphuvadol said the party fielded 30 party-list candidates and so far it has 20 constituency candidates in the Northeast, the South and Bangkok.

In the South it will field candidates in all constituencies in Yala and Pattani, three constituencies in Narathiwat and two in Trang.

He was confident the party's candidates in the South would win because they are well-known locals.

The Better Life Party will field candidates in two constituencies, said leader Watwarit Tantipiron.

The People Power Party is eyeing two constituencies, chief adviser Kan Thienkaew said.

The Progressive Democratic Party's Isara Yuangprasit said the party would field seven party-list candidates who have strong support among Muslims in the South.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation