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Published on December 9, 2007

Prachai, who is facing a three-year jail term for stock manipulation, is currently supporting only candidates who were previously part of the People's Alliance for Democracy, including Karun Sai-ngam, Somboon Thong-buran, Nirun Pitakwatchara and Maleerat Kaewka.

Prachai has stopped providing funds to members of the Somsak Thepsuthin faction due to a conflict involving one of the faction's MP candidates.

However, Rattanaporn Thammakosol, a Bangkok MP candidate, yesterday said Prachai had not called it quits as he still chaired the party's executive meetings to help candidates contesting the December 23 poll.

She said Prachai and deputy party leader Amarin Khoman would focus on Bangkok constituencies, while other senior party figures will help those contesting in provinces.

Party sources said Prachai had cut off financial support for candidates of the Somsak faction after Thanaporn Sriyakul alleged that he failed to pay Bt60 million in promised funding.

Rachot Pisitbannakorn, a deputy secretary-general, said Somsak - a former key executive of disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party - had already sought funding from other sources.

"Our faction should win 37 or 38 House seats mainly in constituencies in Sukhothai, Chai Nat, Nakhon Sawan and Surin provinces, because most of our candidates are former MPs and heads of local government organisations," he said.

"In this election, small parties such as Matchima will be quite crucial, since no major party will win the majority to form a one-party government and a coalition government needs support from small parties."

Party secretary-general Anongwan Thepsuthin meanwhile denied she and supporters were leaving the party due to the conflict with Prachai.

However, Anongwan, wife of Somsak, who is facing a five-year ban on political activity, admitted that the sentence against Prachai had diminished the party's electoral chances.