The appointment of the panel was announced yesterday now that former party leader Thaksin Shinawatra has announced he would quit politics.

Party executive Kuthep Saikrajang yesterday said the 12-member panel is being chaired by acting party leader Chaturon Chaisang and most of the other members are former ministers. They include Adisai Bodharamik, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Pongpol Adireksarn, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Vichet Kasemthongsri, Chamlong Krutkhunthod, Panpree Pahitthanukorn, Sutham Saengprathoom, Laddawan Wongsriwong, Peeraphan Palusuk and Kuthep himself as the panel spokesman.

"The panel has duties to create unity in the party and frame policies. We believe that despite pressures, we will be able to stand up."

Kuthep said party members were not perturbed by Thaksin's announcement that he would quit politics. He said the panel would try to maintain the party and develop it into an institution.

Kuthep said the party wouldn't die even if it was dissolved.

"Law never forbids us from registering a new party," he said.

The party, along with the Democrats and three smaller poli-tical parties, faces charges of electo-ral violations in the April 2006 polls that if proved could result in dissolution.

The charges are being heard by

the Constitution Tribunal due to

the dissolution of the Constitution Court in the wake of the September coup.