The new party may be called Seri Thai. It hasn't been registered yet because of the ban on new parties imposed by the coup makers, the source said. Around 150 former Thai Rak Thai Party MPs are expected to join. Somsak and his friends, who were also on the Thai Rak Thai Party's executive board, had twice planned the new party, the source said.

In the first plan, made before the September 19 coup, they would back Somkid as party leader. After the coup, the second plan emerged, supporting Pridiyathorn as the chief.

Somsak, along with Suriya Jungrungreangkit; Pinij Charusombat, leader of Thai Rak Thai's Wang Phya Nak faction; Sontaya Kunplome, leader of the Chon Buri faction; and Suchart Tancharoen, leader of the Baan Rim Nam faction, reportedly had a meeting with General Winai Pattariyakul, secretary-general of the Council for National Security (CNS), to push the cause for making Pridiyathorn head of a powerful new party. The move was meant to pave the way for the coup makers to have some clout in traditional politics.

 A high-ranking member of the CNS said that if ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ever returned to politics he would likely win another election.

 "Of course we [the coup makers] would face retaliation. The only way to block Thaksin is to have a political party as a backup," he said.

 Some political observers were afraid of history repeating itself.

The National Peace-Keeping Council - which toppled then prime minister Chatchai Choonhavan in February 1991 - encouraged a group of politicians to set up the Samakkhitham Party so that one of the coup makers, Suchinda Kraprayoon, could take over as the new prime minister.

 Thursday's picture of Somsak greeting Sonthi Boonyaratglin, leader of the CNS, with a wai before a friendly soccer match might lead the public into thinking that the military and politicians are again conniving to perpetuate military influence in politics.

 Titi Nakhonthap, secretary-general of the now defunct Samakkhitham Party, confirmed that he had discussed with Somsak's group about ways to form a new party. But he denied they had talked about following in his defunct party's footsteps, saying that kind of party didn't suit today's politics.

 "I suggested to them that if they really want to set up a new party it should be a real people's party, not a party of financiers like in the past," he said.

One of Somsak's allies said yesterday that Somkid had agreed to head the new party.

Chuchai Mungcharoenporn said Somsak and Suriya had approached former Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Somkid to be the leader of the new party and Somkid agreed.

Earlier Somkid was tipped to succeed Thaksin as Thai Rak Thai leader but his dream ended when Thaksin's regime came to an abrupt end.

 Chuchai said some former Thai Rak Thai executive board members were discussing regularly about their political futures.

 "We have the same ideas but can't make much of a move because of martial law," he said.

 He denied his new party would be a step backwards, working to let the military junta retain their say on political matters.

 "Somsak always tells us that the new party we set up must be a neutral party which can connect to any side. Also, it must be an alternative choice for the people," he said.

Samatcha Hunsara,

 Kesinee Jaikawang

 The Nation