His lawyer filed a request to register a new political party on Friday. Academic Anek Laothamatas, a drafter of political reforms and former leader of the Mahachon Party, was not included in the founders' list. He had consulted with Mr Suthep in forming the party, and Mr Suthep could be an ordinary member or adviser of the new party in the future. Mr Thaweesak denied the new party would serve the orders of Mr Suthep or be a branch of the Democrat Party, of which Mr Suthep had formerly been a leading member. Pheu Thai Party acting spokesman Anusorn Iamsa-ard pointed out that Mr Suthep had earlier announced he was quitting politics.

Source: Bangkok Post May 25, 2018 08:03 UTC