New Politics Party seeking members

Party secretary-general Pichit Chaimongkol said more than 1,000 people from upcountry had shown up at the residence of party leader Somsak Kosaisuk, while more from the South had yet to arrive.

He said provincial leaders of the PAD were first to apply as party members and that they would return to their provinces to establish local branches and accept more applicants.

In the North, branches will be set up in Nakhon Sawan and Phitsanulok provinces; in the Northeast, in Khon Kaen and Nakhon Ratchasima; in the South, in Songkhla's Hat Yai district and Surat Thani province. Along the Eastern Seaboard, a branch will be established in Chon Buri, one in Rayong and another in Phetchaburi.

When the party has 5,000 members, as required by law, a party caucus will be held to vote for the party leader and party executive board in September and October.

"If there's a House dissolution at the end of the year, we'll be ready to contest an election in Bangkok and the large provinces in which we have branches," Pichit said.