PARTY DISSOLUTIONS

Thammarak's ex-aide denies bankrolling

MANOP THIP-OSOD

A former close aide to Gen Thammarak Isarangkura na Ayudhaya claims he was with his family the day he is accused of meeting a representative of a small political party to discuss alleged bankrolling of small parties by Thai Rak Thai in last year's April 2 election. Gen Trairong Intarathat testified before the Constitution Tribunal that he could not have met Thatima Pawalee, of the Thai Ground party, on March 4 as alleged.

He said it was a Saturday and he always spent Saturdays with his family.

''I was accused because I was a chief aide to the defence minister,'' he said.

Gen Trairong also denied having met Thawee Suwanpat, said to be an independent reporter, at his office at the Defence Ministry on March 3.It was alleged that Gen Thammarak handed the money via Mr Thawee to Chavakarn Tosawat, leader of the Pattana Chart Thai party.

As for still photos which were captured by surveillance cameras in front of Gen Thammarak's office during the afternoon of March 3 last year, he said he walked past a group of visitors from Pattana Chart Thai and did nothing besides greet them.

It was alleged that Gen Thammarak's men handed over something to the visitors.

Gen Trairong's wife, Manwika, told the tribunal she did not believe her husband was involved in any bankrolling of small parties to encourage them to contest the elections.

She said he was with the family on the day he allegedly met a small party's representative to make the deal.

Acting Thai Rak Thai deputy secretary-general Pongsak Raktapongpaisal insisted he had never met members of the Pattana Chart Thai party to discuss bankrolling.

He also had not met Mr Chavakarn or the party election director Suksan Chaithes on March 2 last year, as alleged.

He also said he believed Mr Chavakarn had never met Gen Thammarak at the Thai Rak Thai headquarters.

Bangkok Post

Wednesday April 04, 2007