Thai court clears Thaksin allies

The court rejected a petition accusing the PPP of violating electoral law by acting as a proxy for the banned party of ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

The move helps to clear the way for the PPP to form a government, ending more than a year of military rule.

Party lawmakers say they will announce a six-party coalition at the weekend.

The polls, on 23 December, were the first since the military seized power from Mr Thaksin in September 2006.

The PPP won the most votes but fell short of an outright parliamentary majority, leading to drawn-out coalition talks and several legal challenges.

Banned party

The main case against the PPP was brought by Democrat Party lawmaker Chaiwat Sinsuwong.

He argued that the PPP was a proxy for Thai Rak Thai - Mr Thaksin's party, which was banned by a military-backed panel last year.

But the court dismissed the petition, saying it had no authority to rule on the case.

Earlier, it also rejected another case asking the Election Commission to annul advance voting.

The PPP is expected to announce on Saturday it has formed a coalition with all major parties apart from the Democrats, who came second in the polls.

The parliament is due to convene early next week.