The National Legislative Assembly (NLA), appointed by military leaders who toppled Thaksin in a coup last year, overwhelmingly adopted a bill revoking the junta's ban on new parties, lawmaker Gothom Arya said.

Thai Rak Thai (TRT), the twice-elected party formed by Thaksin and led byhim until his ouster, was dissolved in May after a court ruled that it had violated election laws.

Under the new law approved Wednesday, some members of the disbanded TRT would be able to form a new party, but they would struggle to do so in time to prepare for elections promised by the end of the year.

"Thai Rak Thai can file an application with the Election Commission to register under the same name, but the EC will take months to consider its application," said NLA member Prapan Khoonmee.