The Democrat Party has accused rival Thai Rak Thai of orchestrating an anti-government campaign, one day after Chuan Leekpai ruled out any possibility of an alliance with Thaksin Shinawatra.

The premier's personal secretary, Alongkorn Polabutr, yesterday blamed the anti-Democrat movement on activist Auychai Watha, one of Mr Thak-sin's advisers.

More than 500 Pak Moon dam protesters yesterday began a three-day fast to show support for villagers already on a hunger strike at Government House. _ APICHART JINAKUL

Thai Rak Thai distanced itself from Mr Auychai, but admitted he is a key party member.

Mr Auychai, a former president of the Assembly of Small-scale Northeastern Farmers, is heading an anti-government campaign in Khon Kaen which he intends to expand to other provinces, Mr Alongkorn said.

"I've received reports that if the campaign in Bangkok failed it would be moved to the Northeast, and my information is correct because Mr Auychai launched the campaign in Khon Kaen on Aug 3," he said.

Mr Auychai was appointed an adviser to Mr Thaksin during the Thai Rak Thai general assembly on March 26 and was a potential candidate in the coming general election.

Mr Alongkorn said he had doubts about Mr Thaksin's sincerity and urged him to clarify the matter.

"Mr Thaksin once denied his party had anything to do with the anti-government movement, but now his adviser is involved. "Isn't this an act of hypocrisy?" he said.

Suranand Vejjajiva, the Thai Rak Thai spokesman, said Mr Auychai was acting alone and the party had nothing to do with his actions.

"We were aware the government would make such accusations, so we decided not to get involved despite the fact we are concerned about the protesters' plight," he said.

Mr Suranand admitted Mr Auychai is an adviser to Mr Thaksin, but said they have not seen each other recently.

Mr Alongkorn's accusations upset protesting villagers, who said the government was simply mud-slinging.

"The Assembly of the Poor is disappointed that a new-blood politician like Mr Alongkorn is resorting to mud-slinging as a tactic.

"We are not politicians. We do not have any political backing. Otherwise we wouldn't be here," they said in a statement.

Hundreds of villagers joined the hunger strike yesterday, beginning a three-day symbolic fast and bringing the total number to 543 after three quit because of health problems.

Led by Noo Khonsri, the new group began their fast at noon after praying.

They were assisted by former strikers including Khamnian Sithanuan, who had resumed eating after five days.

Thawee Harnchai, 34, a Rasi Salai dam protester, ended his fast after 10 days, due to internal bleeding. Five other hunger strikers were in a bad condition but they insisted they would continue.

On Friday, 80 villagers joined the fast following accusations by Special Branch police chief Pol Lt-Gen Yothin Mattayomnan that students had been paid 300 baht each to join in.

At that time there were only 12 hunger strikers left.

Pol Lt-Gen Yothin said yesterday he did not need to produce any proof to back his claims and he would let the public be the judge.

He maintained the movement against the government was engineered by groups with a vested or personal interest.

He also expressed concern about leaflets calling on the public to join the rally at Sanam Luang, saying they were reminiscent of communism.

Interior Minister Banyat Bantadtan yesterday called on the Assembly of the Poor to accept the government's proposed venue for a public forum to discuss their dispute over last week's cabinet resolutions on the problems.

The two sides are in a deadlock over the venue, with the activists adamant it be held at one of the universities, to allow greater public attendance and access to other news media.

Mr Banyat said the Channel 11 studio had been proposed in the best interests of the assembly. "If it's not at Channel 11 we are afraid the forum will not be broadcast live," the minister said. If the protesters wanted a change of venue they should talk to Amnuay Patise, the prime minister's deputy secretary-general, he said.

Wanida Tuntivittayapitak, the villagers' leader, said yesterday the protesters would boycot the forum if it was held at Channel 11.