The tribunal has been considering allegations of electoral fraud in the April 2006 poll levelled at the Thai Rak Thai, Democrat and several smaller parties. They face dissolution if found guilty.

Chaturon said his party was not asking the tribunal to apply "political science" to its decision, but the law free of influence.

"We believe the court will not take orders, even though the Council for National Security has been exhibiting such a tendency. The party just wants the court to maintain justice. Whatever the outcome, the verdict will be historic," he said.

The party remains confident it will not be dissolved.

"The largest party and the oldest party should not be dissolved. There is no need to prepare for anything," he said.

Asked about supporters seizing provincial halls if the ruling dissolves the party, Chaturon warned against the use of violence, which would lead to confrontation and arrest.

"We offer a better alternative - capturing Government House in an election. Give us the majority in the House so that we can come back and run the country and solve people's problems," he said.

Democrat Party spokesman Ongart Klampaiboon said it was distributing a fact sheet explaining the charges against it. He hoped it would prevent confusion and political turmoil.

Copies will be sent to party members, former members of Parliament, executive board members and party branches.

He said the party would respect the tribunal's decision. There will be no demonstrations by supporters. "We are ready to abide by the verdict," he said.

Thai Rak Thai spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang concurred with Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, who said the tribunal must rule freely and not dissolve all parties if it dissolves one.

Thai Rak Thai has distributed its own factsheet and published it on its website in English and Thai.

It contains information submitted to the tribunal during the hearing and is titled "The legal case against the Thai Rak Thai Party: allegations and facts".

The Nation