BANGKOK, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtas on Thursday dismissed allegations that most of the soldiers from the elite Special Warfare had been secretly sent to the North and Northeast of the country for controlling the upcoming general elections.

　　The minister also insisted the army has never tried to obstruct People Power party (PPP) during the general elections to be held in December this year.

　　His statement came after PPP deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat claimed that 1,000 Special Warfare soldiers had been deployed in northern and northeastern provinces which are believed to have strong backing for the PPP. He said the soldiers were believed to be on an intelligence-gathering mission.

　　However, Boonrawd called on the public to use careful consideration before deciding to believe any claims, adding that the PPP is trying to win votes any way it can.

　　The minister denied commenting whether ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should be allowed to speak to his supporters via a video conference at the PPP rally in Bangkok on Friday, saying it is up to the Election Commission.

　　Former prime minister Thaksin was ousted from the Government House during a military coup last September. His Thai Rak Thai (TRT) Party was later dissolved.

　　The PPP rapidly expanded its potential strength after many former TRT members' attended the party in June and July. The party, led by former Bangkok governor Samak Sundaravej, who has said he is a proxy of Thaksin's TRT party, is favored to win most seats in the North and Northeast, all strongholds of Thaksin.