Paying controversy overshadows the election

Earlier, while he was still with the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), Capt Thamanat introduced a phrase comparing himself to a monkey keeper feeding "bananas" to small parties to keep them loyal to the government.

If found guilty these MPs would be hit with a 10-year political ban and the parties involved in the payments could be dissolved.

On Friday, Capt Thamanat, who pulled out of the coalition government....