He said he was ready to help form a new party with former Thai Rak Thai members.

Chaturon appeared on the Channel 5 talk show "Jor Jai" on Thursday night after leading the Thai Rak Thai party for eight months.

Chaturon said even though the party had been dissolved by the Constitution Tribunal's rulings, the Thai Rak Thai name would still be used by followers of the party, who will call themselves the Thai Rak Thai Group ("klum Thai Rak Thai").

Chaturon did not reply at first when the talk-show host asked him if he would be the group leader, but admitted that he would lead the group when asked again.

Chaturon said Thai Rak Thai supporters could register a new party with the old name. Previously, some members of the Election Commission said that if any parties were dissolved they could not register a new party under the old name for at least six months.

Election Commissioner Somchai Jungprasert yesterday said that party members could register the old name - but didn't set a date.

Chaturon believed the solution for Thai Rak Thai lay "in elections".

He asked party supporters not to protest over the court's verdict, adding that when a new party was formed to run for an election "the parliamentary system" would be the judge.

"Whoever loves Thai Rak Thai, do not do anything outside the rules of parliament. Please wait for a new party and the upcoming election. A new party is our solution. It is the centre of people who want to participate in politics. I'm ready to assist them in registering a new party either with campaign posters or by making speeches."