Suwat said he would set up "Path of Reconciliation" Group with his political alliances.

Suwat - former leader of the defunct Chat Pattana Party - joined TRT by merging his Chat Pattana with TRT of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's party almost three years ago.

Suwat announced the resignation a few days after Chief of the military junta Gen Sonthi Bunyaratglin.

Unconfirmed reports said Suwat would form a new party which would be a nominee for senior military officers who wanted to join politic.

Suwat also admitted Friday he has personal connection with Gen Winai Phattiyakul, Council for National Security secretary general.

"I have known Gen Winai when he was in Puangchon ChaoThai (Thai people party) which had Gen Arthit Kamlang-ek as leader. Gen Winai is also my school senior yet Gen Winai never talked about the political situation or form a party," Suwat said in his press conference at his home.

Suwat used his birthday as the auspicious time to announce a resignation with 30 other TRT MPs who were former members of Chat Pattana party.

He said his group and faction of Pinit Jarusombhat who already resigned from TRT last year have a total of 70 members.

He claimed that the decision to resign came after TRT leader Thaksin Shinawatra pledged to retire from the politic.

Suwat said it was suitable time for him and his faction after discussed with his members and other faction leader, including Pinij Charusombat, Suwit Khunkitti and Preecha Laohapongchana adding that many former MPs support their decision

Suwat yesterday repeated "the reconciliation" many times and concluded that his group was "Path of Reconciliation." Nonetheless, he has no plan to form the party until the new constitution completed.

He denied the resignation was come from the fear the party could eventually be dissolved.

Suwat said that before deciding to resign from the party, he tried to contact Thaksin but he doesn't know where Thaksin staying. Therefore, he turned to contact Thaksin's wife; Khunying Pojaman but failed again. Therefore, he has informed Chaturon Chaisang, caretaker leader of the party on Thursday about the resignation.

Politicians and businessmen joined the birthday celebration on Ratvidhi Road. Guests were prominent politicians including those from Democrat party led by Suthep Thuegsuban, Chat Thai party led by Somsak Prisanananthakul and Mahachon party leader Sanan Kachonprasart.

But there were not Thai Rak Thai party key members.     

Somroutai Sapsomboon

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation