Several key figures in the Pheu Thai Party are in London to hold talks with fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra over members defecting to other political camps, a party source said on Wednesday.
The source said Thaksin's sister, Yaowapa, and former MP for Phrae Worawat Ua-apinyakul were among the group that arrived in the UK capital for the meeting.
They will join a birthday celebration for Thaksin and use the occasion to discuss the future of Pheu Thai given ongoing attempts by the Sam Mitr group to persuade party members to switch to the Phalang Pracharat Party, the source said.
Top Pheu Thai leaders decided to opt out of the trip to London to avoid possible complaints from political rivals that could lead to the party being disbanded over its association with their fugitive ex-boss, the source added.
Thaksin, who will turn 69 on Thursday, faces several arrest warrants, the latest over alleged malfeasance concerning an Export-Import Bank of Thailand loan to Myanmar.
The Sam Mitr group, led by former Pheu Thai key members Suriya Jungrungreangkij and Somsak Thepsuthin, is trying to convince former MPs of Pheu Thai and other parties to join Phalang Pracharat, an alleged proxy for the military with a mission to engineer Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's return as premier.
Thaksin last month shrugged off the defections of several Pheu Thai politicians, saying they would lose the contest in a new election. The defection would benefit Pheu Thai as it offered a chance for new blood to step in, he added.