"We will push for more women's participation in political reform," said Prof Dr Amara Phongsaphich, dean of Chulalongkorn University's faculty of social science.

"Women must have seats in Parliament and other national organisations at a proportion reflecting the female population of this country."

The female population of Thailand is around 31.5 million, about 51 per cent of the total population, while the male population is 30.8 million.

We Move, launched at Chulalongkorn University, was co-founded by 20 prominent female activists and academics. Amara's co-founders are acting Senator Maleerat Kaewka, senator elect Rossana Tositrakul, Sunee Chaiyaros of the Human Rights Commission and Dr Sutheera Wijittranond of the Association for the Promotiom of the Status of Women. Amara was part of the Women's Network for the Constitution (WNC) for several years before deciding to establish We Move. The network had 54 women's organisations nationwide.

"Under the network we were successful to a certain extent in increasing women's participation in the political arena. The problem of working under a network is the lack of freedom to move as an individual, which is powerful in particular situations, so we decided to wind up the network and switch to We Move," Amara said.

Amara said We Move would not become a political party or involve any other political groups, including the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD). "The past teaches us that political parties are not the answer in any country," she said.

Sutheera said We Move would take a role in encouraging women to participate in politics at all levels from local to national.

"We will demonstrate women-style politics promoting equal participation ethically," Amara added.

Chart Thai deputy leader Weerasak Khowsurat said his party agreed with We Move's aims and would set women's participation in politics at 51 per cent as part of its policies.

"This should be on the agenda in the coming political reform," he said.

Critics said the establishment of We Move followed internal conflict between WNC leaders Thicha na Nakhon and Sutheera.

Thicha had a significant role supporting the PAD and the anti-Thaksin movement, in pursuit of which she wrote to caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's wife Pojaman calling on her help in encouraging the premier to resign.

Critics said Sutheera had seen this as damaging her own relationship with Pojaman.