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Published on September 27, 2007

"I understand about underhanded tactics to sway votes, but I think voters won't be fooled," he said, in response to Newin's campaign speech to promote his new banner under the People Power Party in Buri Ram on Tuesday.

Sonthi said he had had cordial talks with Newin on the night of the coup and that no ousted politicians had been mistreated, as alleged by Newin. He ruled out concern that Newin's remarks could tarnish the junta's reputation, saying the people were capable of forming their own judgement.

"The junta has always upheld the rule of law and never abused its power," he said.

He added that he would not allow detractors to derail his planned move to join the interim government as a deputy prime minister following his retirement from the Army on Sunday.

Newin said before his supporters on Tuesday that the junta's soldiers had released him after 10 days in custody last year. The politician claimed he was given a lift home and was told to undress at his front gate, so that the soldiers could check if he had stolen anything from his place of incarceration.

In a related development, a group calling itself the Network of Buri Ram's Strength of the Land filed a police complaint against Newin, accusing him of violating a Constitution Tribunal order by taking part in Tuesday's political rally.

The group said Newin was one of the 111 former executives of the Thai Rak Thai Party deprived of their electoral rights when the party was dissolved in May.

Meanwhile, Constitution Drafting Committee chairman Prasong Soonsiri said Newin and other banned party executives might jeopardise their new party if they are actively involved in campaigning activities. Newin could wreck the People Power Party if it is proven that he violated the conditions of his ban from the electoral process, Prasong said.

The Nation