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Published on August 21, 2007

With the success of the draft constitution in the referendum, politicians have already be-gun to jockey for opportu-nities by forging new groups and establishing power mergers to contest the upcoming election.

The Matchima Group and the Ruam Jai Thai have decided to merge and form a new party to run for the election, Anek Laothammatas said yesterday.

The high number of voters who rejected the draft in the stronghold of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party in the Northeast and the North have forced political groups and factions to unite. The Thai Rak Thai Party may have been dissolved but its politicians have gathered to create a new brand - the People Power Party.

Anek, a co-leader of Ruam Jai Thai, said his group had wanted to join forces with Matchima for a long time because Matchima had strength in remote constituencies, while his group had power in city constituencies.

He said that following the result of the referendum vote a merger was the best option for both groups.

Matchima leader Somsak Thepsuthin said his group was ready to merge with Ruam Jai Thai to be "an alternative party" because there is only the junta and the Thai Rak Thai group.

He said he had talked to Ruam Jai Thai leader Pradit Pattharaprasit about a working strategy, adding he had also asked both the Saman Chan group and the Pracharaj Party to join the new entity.

When asked about a possible move to combine the People Power Party, Somsak said it was too soon to talk about it.

Pracharaj party leader Snoh Thienthong remain reserved about making a

commitment, but admitted Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai had asked his party to join them.

"The political situation is not clear yet. It is always changing and we will have to talk again," he said.

Sophon Phetsawang, a key member of Matchima, said Somsak told members he would lead the group to join with the three factions to establish a new party.

Thai Rak Thai group member Kuthep Saikrajang said the merging of the four groups was not a surprise because following the vote, a number of groups would have to combine to create any unity.

"Thai Rak Thai had the idea to get each group to join with us, but they now want to form their own groups," he said.

Kuthep said it was admirable if the intention to merge was genuine, but it would be a pity if the four factions only came together after receiving a green light from the military.

TRT group core member, Surapong Suebwonglee yesterday called on the government to hold the election in December and urged the state to lift martial law - except in the deep South. The Election Commission should prepare the upcoming poll to be more efficient than the national referendum, he said.

Surapong said the group plans to propose that constitution drafters should come "from the people" to amend the 2007 charter for the next elected government.

Ban Rim Nam faction key member, Chalermchai Urankul said the faction had placed themselves under Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, but were not sure whether Chavalit would form a new party or move to join with the People Power Party.

Ban Rim Nam is led by Suchart Tancharoen and Sora-at Klinprathum - both members of the People Power Party.

Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said the party would hold a meeting on Monday to discuss its campaign for the election.

Meanwhile, Wadah group leader Muk Sulaiman said his members, who were former Thai Rak Thai MPs, had decided to join the Matchima group because they wanted to gain more support in the deep South.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said that within two weeks a number of new political parties would start registering, which was good for the people because they would have more choices.

He said if the Democrats won the election he would establish a coalition government with any parties that wanted to serve the country.