Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai said he has no intention of making a comeback, confirming that he will not be one of the prime ministerial candidates on the Democrat Party's ticket.
He referred to a report that said some key Democrat figures wanted to put him on the party's list of three prime ministerial candidates.
''I will not be among the candidates for sure,'' said Mr Chuan, who currently serves as chief of the party's advisory panel.
According to Section 88 of the constitution, before the campaign for general election begins, every party must declare up to three prime ministerial candidates to the Election Commission (EC). The EC will then declare the list of all candidates to the public before the elections begin.
Talk about the return of the 79-year-old Democrat's patriarch to politics emerged as Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad won an election to become the world's oldest elected premier at the age of 92 last month. But Mr Chuan hosed down speculation of his possible return as prime minister by vouching for incumbent leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to retain the role and vie to lead the country by contesting the general election expected in February 2019.
Addressing the issue of possible defections of some DemocratS to the Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT) Party, Mr Chuan admitted that it could weaken the party at the election to a "certain extent". However, he said the party must assess the overall picture before looking at the impact which any defections will have.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva downplayed the issue, saying it was normal for the party to try and find replacements for defectors.
During elections, there are people going in and out of a party although the majority of Democrat party members have reconfirmed their memberships, which is requisite for preparing for the next election, he noted.
Mr Abhisit added the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) should meet the EC before speaking to political parties about poll preparations. He said the NCPO should hear from the EC about anticipated problems in organising the election. The council should have a clear idea about poll-related problems before meeting with political parties to discuss them.
Some believe the meeting between the parties and the NCPO could be a prelude to the government lifting the ban on political activities, which political parties insisted was essential for them to make plans and pre-election arrangements, such as holding the primary vote.
Mr Abhisit said there are many new regulations under the organic laws which the EC and the parties must meet. "In the final analysis, we want the election to be held smoothly, honestly and fairly''.
Paiboon Nititawan, leader of the newly-established Prachachon Patiroob (Reform People Party), disagrees with removing the political activities ban unconditionally. A vocal supporter of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha returning as premier after the next election, Mr Paiboon said lifting the ban would create havoc.
The ban should be in place until after the poll to keep parties from organising gatherings that could destabilise the country.