He said he may consider such proposal when he finishes his term at Geneva-based Unctad in 2009.

Supachai, a former deputy prime minister, was in Bangkok on Saturday and attended "Triam Udom School Forum."

"I am still busy with Unctad which is in the middle of reform," Supachai said.

Mahachon, which is in need of a new and presentable honcho. Supachai refused to confirm whether Mahachon leader Sanan Kachornprasart had contacted him about the matter.

Meanwhile Sanan said he had not approached Supachai, because of his current assignment. However, the future may be different, he said.

Sanan also dismissed a report that said Mahachon Party has no plans to fold into the Chat Thai Party. "Mahachon will go on fighting under the current banner," he said.

Speculation about a possible merger heightened after Sanan reportedly met Chat Thai leader Banharn Silapaarcha, who is increasingly regarded as a key player in the upcoming general election.

Sanan predicted that the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party would be dissolved and said some people had already quietly registered for a new party to be formed.

The veteran politician also said the election would probably not take place on October 15 as tentatively scheduled due to the need to have new election commissioners installed.

The three remaining commissioners can chose to resign now or be removed later by the courts. "I believe the commissioners will make some decision in two or three days," he said.

Mahachon is ready for the new election, he said, though an impartial election commission is vital for the balloting to be free and fair.

"If it's the same old election commissioners, I won't field that many candidates," Sanan said.

The Nation