"Friends of Newin" dissipated

Only about 20-30 MPs remain in the group, down from up to 80 MPs, before the break-up.

The group was considered the largest faction in the party. It gave Newin huge bargaining power especially in the Samak Sundaravej Cabinet but led to discontent among other MPs.

The group had four ministerial seats in the Samak Cabinet. They included Songsak Thongsri as deputy transport minister, Supon Fongngam as deputy interior minister, Pongsakorn Annopporn as deputy education minister and Theerachai Saenkaew as deputy agriculture minister.

As part of the so-called "Gang of Four," Newin played a big role in Samak's Cabinet reshuffling.

The Gang of Four was exposed by angry MPs, also from the Northeast, called Isaan Pattana. It said the gang, comprising Samak, Newin, PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee and Samak's secretary Teerapol Noprampa, were abusing their power in the government.

While the PPP is considered a reincarnation of the Thai Rak Thai, the loyalty of the Gang of Four to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra was also questioned.

After Samak was disqualified, the group tried to push for Samak to get the top post again, and later tried to support PPP secretary-general Surapong Suebwonglee for the premiership to maintain the group's hold on power. But the move was opposed by other MPs in the party. The other groups joined hands in favour of Somchai Wongsawat.

The movement was driven by MPs in the North, under the umbrella of former PPP deputy leader Yongyuth Tiyapairat, former Thai Rak Thai executive Pongsak Ruktapongpisal and Wang Bua Baan faction of Yaowapa Wongsawat, the wife of premier Somchai. Former Thai Rak Thai executive Sudarat Keyuraphan's group of Bangkok MPs as well as MPs from the southern Northeast and the group under former interior minister Chalerm Yoobamrung were also part of the movement.

After exhaustive negotiations, the rebellious 72 MPs from the Friends of Newin group agreed to support Somchai.

But only one MP from Newin's surviving group, Sophon Salum, gets a deputy transport minister's post. The Buri Ram MP replaces Songsak Thongsri, another close aide of Newin, who had a leading role against Somchai's premiership.

Theerachai, who retains his ministry, told people to stop relating him to a faction. "Why don't people say I am from the Udon Thani faction?" he asked.

In the meantime, Supon said he was no longer Newin's man. Pongsakorn did not make it to Somchai's Cabinet.

Moreover, while the Puea Thai Party - the reserve party for members if the PPP is dissolved - would be the next party to represent Thaksin, people in charge of the new party have decided not to welcome Newin.

MPs who used to be under Newin all want to join Puea Thai Party as it is known to represent Thaksin in the future. And Thaksin is still popular in the Northeast. Therefore, the MPs have to consider leaving Newin. Finally, fewer than 30 MPs would stay with Newin.