BANGKOK, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Six new political parties have been approved by the Election Commission (EC) of Thailand, an EC official said Friday.

    Prasert Suthisonth, the election body's public relations chief, said on Friday that 15 political parties have asked for registration. As the qualifications of six have been checked and endorsed, the remaining nine are still being assessed.

    The among the approved parties are the Palang Phaendin Thai Party founded by former Thai Rak Thai Party member Likhit Dhiravegin, and the Thai Women party with caretaker Senator Rabiebrat Pongpanit as one of the co-founders.

    Although the EC has already approved the six parties, each has 5,000 members, they must also set up four branches within 180 days otherwise they would be dissolved according to the election law, Prasert said. Enditem