BANGKOK, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- More government officials are expected to join the new Palang Pracharath (power of the people's state) Party ahead of Thailand's general election next year.

Several members of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's cabinet have joined the party, founded by Chuan Chuchan.

The ministers who joined the new party included Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana and Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, who were named the party's leader and secretary general respectively, and Prime Minister's Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool was named spokesman of the party.

Many others in the government, including civil officials and military officers, are also expected to join the new party, which was set up to support the National Council for Peace and Order and Prayut in particular, according to Chuan Chuchan.

Prime Minister Prayut earlier said that all cabinet members are free to join any party ahead of the general election, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 24, 2019, "because they are not doing any damage to the government by doing so."