A group calling itself the People’s Front Against the Coup demonstrates outside the Constitution Tribunal compound yesterday to protest at what it described as unfair rulings influenced by the Council for National Security.

The group call themselves Saman Chan (reconciliation), and currently has 30 members.

Suwat said he, plus Pinij Chaturombat, Suwit Khunkitti, Preecha Laohapongchana were thinking of forming a new party to carry out political activities - without violating last week's court verdict.

All four were Thai Rak Thai Party executives banned from politics for five years by the Constitution Tribunal. The ban means they cannot contest elections, be party executives.

"But we can be advisers," Suwat claimed.

He would not ask the government or military leaders for a political amnesty because he would like to see reconciliation in the country.

"Actually, we did nothing wrong. There were over 100 executives. Some of them might have committed wrong doings without tell others. But we all have to shoulder the consequences of their wrongdoings."

Asked if he would revive the Chat Pattana Party, Suwat said he could not make the decision now, even though the name was still popular among the people in Nakhon Ratchasima.

"It is one alternative. I have not made up my mind because I cannot become a party leader."

Suwat said he and his faction would not return to work with the Thai Rak Thai group.

Last week's historic rulings have dramatically altered the political landscape.

The Democrat Party, which was exonerated, is eyeing the chance of forming a coalition government with the Chat Thai and Mahachon parties.

The old Thai Rak Thai looks to be splitting up, with sources saying Thaksin Shinawatra has stopped financing it.

Somsak Thepsuthin had earlier tried to set up a new party called Matchima, but he has also been banned. Somkid Jatusripitak, head of the Thammathipatai Group, has tried to garner MPs from the North and Central regions. But he has also been banned.

This has left Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh with the possibility of trying to revive his former New Aspiration Party. But a political source indicated he had no money or power to revive New Aspiration.

The picture remains murky about new breakaway factions from Thai Rak Thai.

Asked if it was possible his group would become the Saman Chan Party, Suwat said it was difficult because they had not found a suitable leader.

"We cannot run in the election. In the battlefield, you need a commander. When there is no commander, there is no real battlefield," he said.

The group was searching for political allies.

"We have few choices because many people have been banned and we have to find someone acceptable to the public," he explained.

Suwat denied the idea to form a new party aimed to support a plan for Army leaders to cling to power.

"We have no links with the CNS," he said.