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Why was political scientist Chai-anan Samudvanija absent from Ruam Jai Thai's news conference last week?

Suwit: Our group was formed after the coup and called Thamma Thippatai. When it was decided to form a party, Chai-anan called it Ruam Jai Thai. Somkid [Jatusripitak] had another name - it sounded a lot like Ruam Jai Thai.

Several groups were ready to join with us. But we have to admit the [Constitution Tribunal] ban on Thai Rak Thai executives has affected us.

After May 30, we had to change our plans. We have

concluded we don't need a leader. We will form working groups and have what we call 'collective leadership' instead. I have been assigned to draft a model of how the new party will look and I will present that to the members and our financial backers.

As you know, Chai-anan is familiar with Somkid. He has acknowledged our plan. We told Chai-anan the night before the press conference and he said he would attend.

However, he told us he had to go to a Vajiravudh College meeting. We said we would wait until that was over. Chai-anan agreed.

However, as you know, we spoke to the newspapers about the party model. My draft is a first brief to the group but it is not the official launch.

Pradit: It seemed an impulsive decision but we could not cancel the briefing because we intended to unveil our party model.

Could Chai-anan be party leader?

Suwit: He is like Pansak Vinyaratn, who was the chief policy adviser to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They [Pansak and Chai-anan] are thinkers - emotional and uncontrollable.

Why did you choose Ruam Jai Thai instead of agreeing to the request of Chat Thai's Banharn Silapa-archa to join him?

Pradit: The model of the party attracted me - collective leaderships is interesting. It is the reason we did not name a party leader at our press conference.

Several groups want to join the Ruam Jai Thai, which makes me confident it can be an alternative.

Did you talk to Somkid about setting up the new party?

Pradit: I talked to him three years ago when we were members of Parliament and joked with him that when he established a party I would join him.

After I quit politics, I didn't meet him until Parliament was dissolved.

Before the [Thai Rak Thai] party dissolution, Somkid called me and said he was setting up a party. I said yes, even though I was no longer in politics because I have been thinking about politics and waiting for a leader for three years. In my view, Somkid could head our party.

Do you hope to form the next government?

Pradit: Absolutely. We want to be the government. It will have a big impact on members' spirits if we start as the government instead of in opposition.

How many seats are you aiming for?

Pradit: About 50 seats that will come from constituencies in Bangkok, the North and Central provinces.

Who are your financial backers?

Suwit: While Somkid was head of the economics team in the Thaksin government, he supported the private sector. Therefore, when Somkid planned to form a party, it was ready to support it.

Even though Somkid can't lead the party, we believe that the private sector will still support us because of our model and our policies.