A wide spectrum of political groups, including more than 60 ex-MPs from the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday formed the "Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship", which hopes to provoke a mass uprising to topple the ruling junta.

The group, which includes former TRT MPs but claims to have no link with deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, joined a People's Television (PTV) rally at Sanam Luang and vowed to protest until the junta is overthrown.

Meanwhile, representatives of 22 anti-coup groups held a five-hour meeting at Thamma-sat University yesterday and formed an alliance to oust the junta.

"The economy and democracy in this country are in the Dark Ages. Moreover, the military intends to extend its rule," former TRT MP Nisit Sinthuprai claimed in a press conference

at the Rattanakosin Hotel.

"We want the junta to quit and return power to the people instantly without conditions. It is the only way to lead this country out of crisis."

Nisit said the group, calling itself the Pro-Thaksin Anti-Dictatorship Group, assembled 19 networks nationwide, including Isaan taxi-drivers, tour guides and members of local administrative bodies.

"We will be a centre for all movements to rise up against the junta and reject the dictators' draft constitution," he said, adding that the group's protests would be held in local areas.

"But if those people want to come to Bangkok to join the main protest, I won't be able to stop them," he said.

"We don't get any financial support from Thaksin," group spokesman Supachai Phosu insisted. "Using his name to represent the group doesn't mean we want Thaksin to return to power. We are only trying to prevent the junta from extending its rule."

The new anti-junta groups had been formed since the Cabinet lifted bans on political party activity on Tuesday, a week after the Constitution Tribunal dissolved the Thai Rak Thai Party.

When TRT was disbanded, its key members flocked to existing political factions or founded new groups. Some are believed to remain loyal to Thaksin. They are alleged to have made direct contact with Thaksin in a bid to clear the way for his return to power from exile in London.

PTV began daily protests last week and vows to remain at Sanam Luang until the junta hands over power.

The 22 anti-coup groups, including PTV, agreed to form the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, PTV rally organiser Jatuporn Promphan said.

The alliance includes organisations of labourers, activists, academics and state-enterprise employees. It is led by activists Weng Tojirakarn and Sant Hatirat, and former senators Prateep Ungsong-tham Hata, Sawai Prammani and Colonel Somkid Sisangkhom.

Jatuporn said June 24 would be "D-Day" for the anti-junta movement, when it plans to march to Army headquarters, about 3km from Sanam Luang, to demand that the junta quit and return power to the people.