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Published on September 14, 2007

The combined group will be being registered as "Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana" with the Election Commission today.

Both groups had been "left out" following the setting up of the For the Motherland Party.

Before jointly announcing the merger, leading Ruam Jai Thai members such as Somkid, Pradit Pattaraprasit, Anek Laothammatas held a meeting at 10am, then met with Suwat at his house.

Somkid said he and Suwat were former Cabinet members and he was also a friend of Pradit, and wanted to give moral support to both as the Ruam Jai Thai and the Suwat factions intended to work together.

"The country has problems and it seems hard to find a solution. The political trouble is affecting the economy. Yet if we are united the country will be safe."

He said politics today should not be divisive; all sides should be allies because all camps have the same goal to solve the country's problems.

Somkid said the meaning of Ruam Jai Thai was to "gather the hearts" of the Thai people, while Chat Pattana meant "to develop the country". The merger of both groups was the beginning of these aims.

Suwat said it was an honour for his group to talk with Ruam Jai Thai about ways to work together. He was confident the new party could gain about 100 MPs in the general election.

Pradit said he had talked with Suwat for sometime, although the co-ordination had not been easy because there were now several political groups.

"To solve the country's problems will have to rely on thinking, feeling and honesty. I am glad to join with Chat Pattana of Suwat," the Ruam Jai Thai leader said. A source from the Ruam Jai Thai Chat Pattana said they expect Pradit to be head of the party, and Suwat's wife Poonpirom to be secretary-general.