Special reports: Crisis in Thailand
                          Snap general election in Thailand
                          Thai deputy PM appointed caretaker PM

     BANGKOK, May 8 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's ruling Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) and the former opposition Democrat party pledged on Monday to join the new poll after the Constitutional Court ruled that the April 2 general election was unconstitutional and ordered a new election, The Thai News Agency reported.

    The Thai Rak Thai Party issued a statement after a party executive meeting announcing that TRT would abide by the court's decision unconditionally as the party always follow the rules.

    However, caretaker Prime Minister and party leader Thaksin Shinawatra did not attend the executive meeting.

    Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, deputy party leader, said TRT had not yet mapped out a political strategy for a new run down the campaign trail as the discussion centered on the court ruling.

    Thaksin's party won more than 50 percent of the vote but the elections failed to produce all 500 Parliament Members necessary to constitutionally form a Lower House due to the boycott by the main three opposition parties.

    Meanwhile, The former main opposition Democrat Party pledged to take part in the upcoming poll.

    "The Democrat Party accepts the court ruling and will fill candidates in all constituencies in the new election to help resolve the current political crisis," party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said.

    A date for new elections has yet to be set pending the consultation between Constitutional Court judges and the Election Commission. Enditem