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And the opposition Thaksinites in the Puea Thai party are sitting this one out.
ECONOMIST: And finding that, in Thailand, they no longer fit together
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The opposition Puea Thai Party, broadly seen as supporting the red-shirts, accused the prime minister of using excessive force.
BBC: UN calls for Thai clashes inquiry
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But Mr Thaksin already has a third party, Puea Thai, to take its place, with a cousin, Chaisit Shinawatra, reportedly lined up to lead it.
ECONOMIST: The anti-government mob goes all-out to cause chaos
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Many believe that the Puea Thai party, the heir to Mr Thaksin's electoral machine, would win a plurality in an election, as its predecessor did in December 2007.
ECONOMIST: Televised talks lower the temperature
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Two new groups that have gathered some momentum are Puea Pandin (the Motherland Party) and Ruam Jai Thai (Thai Unity), each a curious mixture of ex-Thaksinites and military hard-nuts.
ECONOMIST: Thailand's election