More than 30 senators, whose election last year was annulled after the September coup, met Somkid, the leader of the Dharma Thippatai group, at the Inter-Continental Hotel in central Bangkok.

Anek Laothamatas, the former Mahachon Party leader who is expected to join Somkid, and former Thai Rak Thai members Suranand Vejjajiva and Pimol Srivikorn, who formed the Dharma Thippatai group, also attended the meeting.

After meeting with the Dharma Thippatai group, one of the ex-senators, Suraporn Danaitangtrakoon, said his group had asked Somkid about his political intentions, including his ideas of solving the economic problems.

He said the group agreed that Somkid has the ability to solve the economic crisis, saying he could help employees, farmers and grassroots people come together.

"He told us he is concerned about the economy and is attempting to make people understand the current situation both here and abroad. As for politics, Somkid said he would wait for the Tribunal Court's ruling on the dissolution case before making any decisions," the former senator said.

Suraporn, however, said the group of former senators told Somkid they are ready to support him in forming a new party and were also ready to assist Somkid in campaigning for the next election.

Somkid said he would consider their suggestions and told key members of the Dharma Thippatai faction to hold another meeting with the former senator's group, said Suraporn.