Former party-list MPs Likhit Dhiravegin and Sarit Santimethanedol confirmed yesterday that they were involved with the new Phalang Phaendin ("Strength of the Land") Party.

The two resigned from the ruling party last week.

"The new party will soon be registered with the Election Commission and is expected to become the banner for more than 40 defectors from the ruling party," Sarit said. He said he was certain that the Thai Rak Thai Party was about to be dissolved for paying small parties to contest the April 2 election.

"The evidence of wrongdoing is so conclusive that there is no choice but to disband the ruling party," he said.

He said Likhit might be named the temporary leader of the new party pending completion of the registration process.

"The new party will push for political reforms and highlight its honesty as the campaign platform for the new election," he said. He also admitted that he was talking to former Mahachon Party leader Anek Laothamatas about a team-up.

Officials in the ruling party said Sarit and Likhit were trying to woo former deputy PM Purachai Piumsombun to lead their new party.

"Likhit is working as an advance party for Wang Nam Yom leader Somsak Thepsuthin to prepare for the faction's defection," a source said.

The faction has about 100 members, and its defection would make a dent in the ruling party, he said, claiming that outgoing Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was also vying for Somsak's loyalty.