The soon-to-be-formed party will be led by former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak. Former Mahachon Party leader Anek Laothamatas is expected to join the new alliance soon, Matchima Group leader Somsak Thepsuthin said yesterday.

Somsak spoke after his return from Hong Kong, where he held talks with Somkid and Anek.

"I have agreed to support Somkid's bid to lead the new party and will give him a free rein to name the party, set policies and schedule the launch date," he said.

He conceded that he and Somkid had taken the trip in order to forge the new political alliance, but said the talks with Anek "had happened by chance".

He said he was also talking to former prime minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh with the aim of bringing him into the alliance.

Should everything click into place, the new party could be unveiled before May 30.

This is the date set for the crucial verdict on electoral fraud by Thai Rak Thai that could lead to the dissolution of the former ruling party, he added.

Somsak said he wanted the new party launched as soon as possible in order to have sufficient time for campaigning ahead of the general election, even though Somkid prefers to review the new electoral rules first.

He dismissed the allegation the party would be a puppet for Thaksin Shinawatra, arguing he had not had any contact with the ousted premier since the September coup, and that Thaksin and Somkid found themselves "incompatible" with one another.

In the meantime, the Matchima Group yesterday sought permission from Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to be an observer at a meeting between the premier and party leaders about issues in the draft constitution.

Chaturong Pengnorapath, who represented Somsak, said the group wanted to participate in the meeting, at which political parties are to offer their opinions about the first charter draft in a brainstorming session scheduled for Tuesday.

Chaturong said the group was a civic organisation and that at least 120 of its members had held political positions as governors, senators and members of Parliament.

If the government permits Matchima to take part in the meeting, the group will assign its political affairs chief, Sophon Petchsawang, and members to attend.