High-profile defections continue to rattle the Pheu Thai Party as at least two groups of its former MPs in Ubon Ratchathani are tipped to be the latest to break away and migrate to a pro-regime political party.
Attention is zeroing in on a two-day cabinet trip to Ubon Ratchathani and Amnat Charoen in the Northeast, a major stronghold of the Pheu Thai Party, which begins Monday.
The mobile cabinet meeting is taking place against a backdrop of continued attempts by the Sam Mitr (Three Allies) group to court former MPs, particularly from Pheu Thai, to join the Phalang Pracharat Party, political observers said.
The party was reportedly set up to support Gen Prayut's return as a democratically installed premier post-election, and provide a diversion from the image of a regime which rose to power in the 2014 coup dying a slow death at present.
So far, Sam Mitr, which is seen as the regime's recruiting arm, has managed to round up some "A-list'' defectors from Pheu Thai, sources said.
They include the group led by Preecha Rengsomboonsuk, a former MP who won elections repeatedly in the northeastern province of Loei, and Virat Rattanaset, a veteran in Nakhon Ratchasima, who is likely to make the province a tough race for Pheu Thai.
The latest high-profile targets are a group of politicians led by former Pheu Thai MP for Ubon Ratchathani Supol Fongngam and another led by Sutthichai Charoonnate, also a former Pheu Thai MP for the northeastern province.
Prayut's S-men: The so-called Sam Mitr were co-founders of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai Party, but now are the top recruiters for a military victory at the next election. From left: Suriya Jungrungreangkij, Somsak Thepsuthin and Somkid Jatusripitak. (File photos)
The Sam Mitr group comprises former transport minister Suriya Jungrungreangkij, former industry minister Somsak Thepsuthin and Pirom Polwiset, a former MP for Nakhon Ratchasima who used to belong to the now-dissolved People Power Party, which has since been reincarnated as Pheu Thai.
Mr Suriya, former secretary-general of another party that has since been dissolved, the Thai Rak Thai Party, is known as a financier while Mr Somsak, leader of the Wang Nam Yom faction, is known to have control of many constituencies in the lower North.
But Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has dismissed allegations that he is the "third" pillar of Sam Mitr's three allies.
While the government has announced no schedule to meet politicians during its jaunt around Ubon Ratchathani and Amnat Charoen, this has sparked speculation it may have cancelled them to avoid criticism that it is trying to woo politicians in the Northeast into the regime's fold.
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon previously rejected rumours that efforts were being made to court former MPs, particularly from Pheu Thai, into the fold of the Phalang Pracharat.
The deputy prime minister also hinted the government did not mind if politicians wanted to meet the prime minister during the cabinet trip, even though no such meetings are on the agenda.
In previous cabinet trips, it was the politicians who requested a meeting, not the government, Gen Prawit has said.
Somkid Chuakong, a former Pheu Thai MP for Ubon Ratchathani, said he believed the government will win more political allies during the trip.
During the trip, government officials will also find out who will defect to the regime and who is expected to run in the election under the banner of the Phalang Pracharat so officials can use state mechanisms to support those poll candidates, Mr Somkid said.
Mr Somkid admitted the groups led by Mr Supol and Mr Sutthichai will almost certainly defect to the pro-Prayut party.
This will have some repercussions for the party
"Whenever the ban on political activities is lifted, the curtain will open to reveal who's who. Things will become clear," Mr Somkid said.
He said the general election expected early next year will see a race between five parties in Ubon Ratchathani -- Pheu Thai, the Democrat Party, the Chartthaipattana and Bhumjaithai Parties and the newcomer Phalang Pracharat.
Pheu Thai secured seven out of 11 House seats in Ubon Ratchathani in the previous 2011 election and it will fight to retain those seats, Mr Somkid said.
A source from the Pheu Thai Party said on the 69th birthday of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra on July 26, a group of more than 10 former Pheu Thai MPs led by Thaksin's sister Yaowapha Wongsawat would fly to meet him for celebrations in London.
They are expected to discuss the issue of the party's future.
- The emasculation tactic: Sam Mitr court red shirts for military
- 'No politics here': Government claims trip is all business
- Public's perception: Ubon trip is pure politics
- Nida Poll: Prayut is voters' top choice as PM
- The Big Issue: PM turning red into green
