The United Thai Nation (UTN) Party now hopes to win around 100 seats in parliament in the next general election, following Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's confirmation that he will join the party, according to Akanat Promphan, its secretary-general.
Gen Prayut's move, confirmed on Friday, will give the newly established party a popularity boost among prospective candidates in the polls, political pundits say.
Earlier rumours that about 40 key and former MPs from other parties would defect to the UTN proved largely true, said Mr Akanat.
