Pichet said he was confident that the party, led by Sombat Tassanaprasert with Muktar Keela as secretary-general, would be successful in the next general election and bring peace to the three southernmost provinces.

He said the party, formerly known as the Thai Muslim Party, would show the world that Thais were generous to Thai Muslims and would draw Muslim investors to the country.

He said that although he was a former Thai Rak Thai executive and a deputy transport minister, the party's policies came from local people, especially Thai Muslims.

"I don't care if somebody thinks we are Thai Rak Thai's nominee, as we have our own unique way. For example, we have experts in many areas working as an advisory council proposing policies," he said.

No former MPs from other parties have joined Thai Peace and it does not want to stress that its candidates had been former MPs or ministers, he said.

He said representatives from the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) had also attended yesterday's event as observers. However, the party did not receive any financial support from the OIC, nor does it need a lot of money for campaigning, he said.

He said guests were able to donate Bt100,000 to Bt500,000 for a table at yesterday's launch party.

There were 40 tables at the party, with diplomats from OIC countries and outgoing Senator Imron Maluleem as invited guests.

The name Thai Peace Party was changed from Thai Muslim Party to avoid controversy, he said.

The party currently has almost 10,000 members, including Buddhists and Christians, with party branches in four parts of the country, he said.

Prapasri Osathanon

The Nation