Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has slammed political parties for criticising the government for allegedly trying to poach their members, saying they should focus instead on formulating better policies to draw voters during the election tentatively slated for February.
He also denied that the regime would try to lure veteran politician Newin Chidchob into its fold during next week's mobile cabinet meeting in Buri Ram, adding this would be a "very outdated" approach.
"I would like to urge parties to spend their time thinking about what policies they would issue to foster national development if they are voted in as the next government, rather than blaming others for 'siphoning' their members, which is nonsense," Mr Somkid said.
"Particularly the lady who used the analogy of a toilet truck. She should know better," he added.
Mr Somkid was apparently responding to Pheu Thai Party heavyweight Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who made the remark after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said he was not a "vacuum cleaner" so he could not "suck up" politicians as charged.
Khunying Sudarat said that if Gen Prayut was not a "vacuum cleaner", then he might be a "yellow truck", referring to the municipality's portable restroom vacuum trucks.
The deputy prime minister, who has taken slack for convincing veteran politicians to defect from their respective parties, said he was well-acquainted with many politicians including Mr Newin, Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and many members of Pheu Thai.
He added that the mobile cabinet meeting in Buri Ram, Mr Newin's stronghold, is not politically motivated. Mr Newin is a core member of the Bhumjaithai Party.
The trip to Buri Ram was criticised as a form of canvassing to support Gen Prayut if he decides to try and maintain his reign as a so-called outsider, or unelected, prime minister after the general election.
Mr Newin said he is ready to receive Gen Prayut and his ministers at Chang Arena, the stadium of the football club he owns. They will reportedly be joined by up to 30,000 people.
The meeting has raised suspicion that the regime is out to court the Bhumjaithai Party. Similar theories have circulated about the prime minister's upcoming trip to Surin on Monday.
Asked whether the regime had its eye on Mr Newin, Mr Somkid was evasive.
The deputy prime minister insisted there was no ulterior motive to the Buri Ram trip. He said the cabinet will be ready to discuss problems faced by local people.
He did not comment on how the welcoming ceremony would be organised.
"Don't just think that this or that political camp is out to [poach politicians] to bolster its power," he said.
"That is an anachronistic approach. It can't help us develop [the country]."
Instead, the emphasis should be placed on working together for the common good, Mr Somkid said.
It would be better if political parties were to spend their time devising new policies to fix some of the problems the country faces, he said.
They should consider how these can be translated into action after the election, even if it means forming or joining a coalition, he added.
Mr Somkid denied rumours that Commerce Minister Sontirat Sontijirawong and Uttama Savanayana are trying to lure Suchart Tancharoen, chief of the Ban Rim Nam group within the Bhumjaithai Party, into working with the regime.
"You would have to ask Mr Uttama," he said. "I want to talk less about politics for the sake of the country's development."
The government earlier appointed Phalang Chon Party leader Sonthaya Khunplome, whose stronghold is Chon Buri province, as an adviser to the prime minister.
The move was criticised as part of an attempt to pave the way for Gen Prayut's return, but the premier argued that Mr Sonthaya is needed to help handle tasks concerning the eastern region that he is familiar with.