Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra wants Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan to succeed as Pheu Thai leader, said a well-placed source within the party.

Thaksin reportedly brooked no criticism of Khunying Sudarat during a series of meetings in Hong Kong in recent days with groups of former Pheu Thai MPs for the northern and northeastern provinces.

The source confirmed that some of these prominent party members have little regard for Khunying Sudarat and have instead thrown their support behind ex-transport minister Pongsak Raktapongpaisal.

They hope to see him lead the party, even if only as a proxy for Thaksin, the source added. However, Thaksin apparently rebuffed any such suggestions, to the frustration of the MPs.

Gp Capt Anudith Nakornthap, a former Bangkok MP and close acquaintance of the politician, said media reports claiming there is a growing sense of contempt for Khunying Sudarat lack substance.

Asked whether he knew of any attempt to discredit Khunying Sudarat, Gp Capt Anudith dismissed such talk as groundless.

He said the new leader will be selected only when the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifts its ban on parties engaging in political activities.

However, on Sunday, a different Pheu Thai source claimed that Thaksin was concerned about the growing number of complaints he had received about Khunying Sudarat.

He was also concerned about a lasting rift between Khunying Sudarat and former deputy prime minister Chalerm Yubamrung, which has been affecting the party’s unity, said the source.

Thaksin has resolved to curb the growing contempt for Khunying Sudarat by assigning more part-time managerial work to Mr Pongsak, he said.

This would beef up Mr Pongsak’s managerial role in the party.