An expressway hoarding declares PTV cable television is the station of former Thai Rak Thai executive Veera Musigapong and deputy spokesman Jatuporn Promphan. They plan to go on air next month.

Chaturon was speaking during a visit to Khon Kaen province.

Party executive Veera Musiga-pong, deputy spokesmen Jatuporn Promphan and Natthawut Sai-kua will resign from the party in order to open their own media company.

The three have reportedly already formed the Peuan Pong Nong Pee Co Ltd to air programmes from cable TV - under the name PTV. The company, whose name means "brotherly friends", will start broadcasting next month.

The group has already erected billboards to promote the channel at many crowded spots around Bangkok. Besides the three TRT members, a picture of former government spokesman Jakrapob Penkair is shown.

Veera will hold a press conference on Saturday to explain the reasons for his resignation and the founding of the TV company.

Chaturon, however, said it was a private business and had nothing to do with the party.

"People might assume that PTV will support the TRT, but I don't know what will happen from now on. I only said it should report all sides because it is a state media and should not attack anyone," he said.

There are reports that a former TRT Cabinet member, who already runs a media company, has spent Bt50 million on establishing PTV.

Meanwhile, the Council for National Security (CNS) spokes-man, Colonel Sansern Kaewkam-nerd, said Thai Rak Thai must explain whether its members have opened a cable TV station, adding that if the programmes are divisive to society the CNS will review its licence.