Thai coup leader named head of new party

Sonthi Boonyaratglin, 63, agreed to lead the medium-sized Matuphum (Motherland) party, whose campaign platform will be to bring unity to politically polarized Thailand.

“Matuphum party's platform matches mine and it is based on national reconciliation,” said Sonthi, who headed the now-defunct Council of National Security (CNS), an alliance of police and armed forces chiefs who led the bloodless coup against Thaksin.

“The country's main problem is social and political division and that needs to be settled,” he added.

Matuphum's members include military officers and some former members of parliament from the country's restive deep south.

Following the coup, which took place while Thaksin was at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Sonthi said he would not formally enter electoral politics.

Sonthi was seen as a reluctant leader of the CNS. He has maintained a low profile since elections at the end of 2007.

Dozens of retired military officers recently joined the pro-Thaksin Puea Thai party, and there is some speculation that Sonthi, too, might be prepared to work with Thaksin's allies.

However, he sidestepped questions on whether he would work in any future coalition government with Puea Thai, saying Matuphum would make decisions “based on what benefits the country”.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has the backing of large parts of the powerful military.

Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile but still has strong support among the rural and urban poor because of his populist policies while in office.

He is at the heart of a bitter political struggle that has hurt the country's vital tourist industry and dented investor confidence.

In October, Sondhi Limthongkul, the leader of a protest movement that helped bring down two elected pro-Thaksin governments, was named head of the newly formed New Politics Party.

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