No replies to this topic

[Dick]

"The outcome of Sunday's referendum forced the Matchima and Ruam Jai Thai political groups to merge yesterday in a move reflecting their concerns about their prospects in the general election.

But the Thai Rak Thai group quickly pointed to the political marriage, which brings about 100 former MPs together, as a clear statement of intent to block it from entering the House after it enjoyed a strong showing in the referendum.

Matchima leader Somsak Thepsuthin declared the merger as a decision to position the merged party, whose name has not yet been decided, as a third option in the polls _ an alternative to the alliance of the Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties on one side and the Thai Rak Thai forces on the other. "

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/21Aug2007_news01.php