Thaksin loyalists discuss options

Loyalists of exiled former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra are meeting today to counter a bid by the main opposition party to form a new government in Thailand.

The move comes in the wake of the political chaos which recently paralysed the capital and shut down its main international airport.

Members of the Phuea Thai Party selected Yongyuth Vichaidit, a former senior Interior Ministry official, to head its ranks and grapple with the opposition Democrat Party for the job of prime minister.

The Democrat Party announced yesterday it had mustered 260 politicians in the lower house, enough to form a government.

The PTP was formed from a court-disbanded People's Power Party which led a coalition still governing the country in a caretaker capacity.

It says it will not give up power easily and has warned of renewed street protests.