Following the appointments of Palang Chon Party leader Sonthaya Khunpleum and his brother Itthiphol as political office-holders, speculation is rife the regime will not stop at poaching members of the Khunpleum clan as it moves to get its party ready for the general election.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government are also shifting into high gear as they woo politicians into their fold with the help of Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
"The Phalang Chon Party isn't the only group that will be brought in. More will come and they will be rewarded with political positions," said a political source who asked not to be named.
The source said the regime's "model" of building a party is not new. It was adopted by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he founded the Thai Rak Thai Party.
"It is similar to that of Thaksin, who lured political groups away from other parties and succeeded in just one try," said the source.
According to the source, in doing so the regime will require the service of Mr Somkid, who has maintained good ties with several political groups over the past 15 years since the formation of the Thai Rak Thai Party.
Gen Yutthasak Sasiprapa, who served as defence minister for the Thai Rak Thai-led administration, has acknowledged Mr Somkid's role in this task when voicing support for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, should the latter decide to throw his hat in the ring next February.
"It depends on Mr Somkid how far he [Gen Prayut] will go," he said.
In a media interview, Mr Sonthaya, a former tourism and sports minister, admitted he was approached by Mr Somkid to work with the Prayut administration as an adviser on political affairs to the prime minister.
However, he said no deal was struck and he was also expected to contribute to the government's flagship Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) project, which includes Chon Buri, his party's political stronghold.
Political observers believe the next political groups to be brought into the fold are those led by Suwat Liptapanlop, who commands a support base in Nakhon Ratchasima, and a faction led by Somsak Thepsuthin, who has influence in Sukhothai.
Added to this are the Ban Rim Nam group, headed by Suchart Tancharoen, members of the Bhumjaithai Party through lobbying from Buri Ram firebrand Newin Chidchob, and the Sasomsap family in Nakhon Pathom.
These political groups have maintained good ties with Mr Somkid since they split from Thaksin.
According to political analysts, Mr Newin is expected to play a large role in the new party and all eyes will be on him when Gen Prayut takes his cabinet to Buri Ram for a meeting on May 7-8.
Several years ago Deputy Prime Minister Somkid formed the Thammathipatai group, which was expected to merge with Matchima before the plan fizzled out.
In late 2007 he co-founded the Ruamjaithai Chartpattana Party but that did not fare well in the elections.
When his political bid effectively failed, Mr Somkid joined hands with reform advocate Prawase Wasi to form the Sammacheep Foundation, which served as a connection point between the business and civil sectors. This gave rise to the regime's Pracharath policy.
Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong, tipped to serve as secretary-general of the new party, was the foundation's president in its early days.
Mr Somkid also rejected speculation that the appointments were part of a political deal, saying the government wanted to make use of Mr Sonthaya's political clout in pushing for the EEC project.
"His [political] base is in the EEC and the key point is the public should understand how they stand to benefit from the EEC," he said.
He declined to comment on rumours that Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana will form a political party under the name Phumtham.
The regime's move has drawn a backlash from veteran politicians.
Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, from Pheu Thai, said We the latest development suggests Gen Prayut plans to prolong his stay in power.
She said when the regime can no longer delay the poll further it resorts to tactics to ensure it will have the upper hand in the coming poll, including the new election rules.
"I believe he would be welcome by every political party if he were straightforward and made his stance clear," she said.
Meanwhile, the Pheu Thai Party's attempt to keep the Sasomsap family from breaking away appeared futile We.
Party bigwigs turned up at a golf course owned by the family in Nakhon Pathom. Even though they were welcomed by Chaiyot Sasomsap, the family seemed to keep their distance.
Mr Chaiyot, a former deputy finance minister, said We his group would listen to the public as so far their vote on whether to stay with the party is evenly split. Anucha Sasomsap said the clan would close ranks with the party "when the country needs it".
