Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has hinted the formation of a new party is under way to support Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha to return as prime minister after the general election.
Political sources said the regime has come up with a fresh strategy to smooth the path for Gen Prayut to resume the premiership through a political party's list of prime ministerial candidates rather than hoping he will be chosen as an "outsider prime minister".
Mr Somkid expressed his support Thursday for Gen Prayut to become the next prime minister after reporters asked if he was ready to continue to work in the government for the next five years after the poll, expected in February next year.
Asked if his subordinates were forming a party, Mr Somkid told reporters to seek answers from Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana and Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong. Both belong to the government's economic team headed by Mr Somkid.
Earlier, a political group led by Chuan Chuchan, president of the Klong Lat Mayom floating market community, applied to register the Pracharath Party with the Election Commission (EC).
The party is expected to include key figures from the government as well as the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). The party is likely to enter the political fray after the NCPO's ban on political activities is lifted, probably in June.
A government source told the Bangkok Post that Mr Uttama is speculated to be the new party's leader while Mr Sontirat is tipped to be its secretary-general.
The new party will portray itself as a group of new-generation politicians who are experts on the economy and work in the government's economic team under Mr Somkid, the source said. Plans are also afoot to approach some former Pheu Thai MPs to join it to back Gen Prayut in his potential bid to return as prime minister.
The party's name is the same as the current government's Pracharath people-state partnership development programme. Mr Sontirat declined to comment on the matter. Mr Uttama, meanwhile, could not be reached for comment.
Another source said Gen Prayut would prefer to stage a comeback on a political party's ticket as one of its prime ministerial candidates. This should be "the path of least resistance" compared to being chosen as an "outsider prime minister", which would face fiercer opposition, the source said.
In light of this, the first step would be for Gen Prayut to become a chief adviser to a party so it would then put him on its prime ministerial candidates list. The party in question would likely be the one which is now being pushed by Mr Somkid, the source said.
Under the constitution, before the election campaign begins, every party must nominate up to three candidates to the EC -- an preferred option for Gen Prayut.
Asked if he would be there to work alongside Gen Prayut, Mr Somkid said he was 65 years old. "I think I am very old now. Let's put it this way. I support Prime Minister Prayut. Why is that? Did we see disorder in years past? Do you want the country to return to that? If the country is peaceful, everything will be good," Mr Somkid said.
"I would like young people to join hands. If you like Prime Minister Prayut, then support him. If not, support other parties. That is okay," he said.
Despite his support for Gen Prayut, it was unnecessary for him to remain in the cabinet, Mr Somkid said. Then he asked reporters who they supported as the next prime minister. Reporters replied they supported good and decent people. "I also support good people. Prime Minister Prayut is good," Mr Somkid said.
Reporters asked him if Gen Prayut was likely to be a non-elected "outsider" prime minister. "I am not sure if he is interested in politics. I think we must ask him if we want him. Do not think he desires the position. That is not right. To work for the country is to shoulder the nation's burden," Mr Somkid replied.
Meanwhile, academics spoke out against Gen Prayut returning as a prime minister at a seminar titled "Outsider PM and the trend of Thai politics" at Thammasat University Rangsit campus.
If Gen Prayut becomes an outsider PM, adverse consequences could follow, said Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, professor at the Faculty of Law and Vice Rector for Administration and Sustainability at Thammasat.
Mr Prinya cited the case of Gen Suchinda Kraprayoon, a former coup leader who became premier via parliament but was forced to resign after the infamous Black May uprising in 1992.
Mr Prinya added attempts by the National Council for Peace and Order to cling to power by postponing the election will only harm the political climate.
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