Core figures of the Pheu Thai and Democrat parties on Wednesday gathered at different venues to sort out party affairs as part of the pre-election activities allowed by the regime.
At the Pheu Thai gathering, party members and red-shirt leaders turned up in force to review new regulations amid reports that the party was considering a back-up plan in the event the party was dissolved.
Led by acting secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai, the party members met for the first time since the May 2014 coup. On the agenda were the new party regulations already approved by the party executive board. They would be put to a vote on Oct 3 before a general assembly on Oct 28 to select a new party leader and executive members.
Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who is widely said to be a strong contender for party leader, also attended and applied to be a party member.
Mr Phumtham said the party had challenges to overcome in the face of new election rules and national administration frameworks imposed by the 20-year strategic plan.
He insisted that the meeting was not intended as a loyalty check after the Pheu Thai Party reportedly lost a large number of former MPs to a pro-military party.
However, Pheu Thai's fate is said to be hanging in the balance as it is under investigation by the Election Commission (EC) for alleged violation of the constitution's organic law on political parties.
The EC's probe was triggered by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's video call to party members.
The law prohibits a party from consenting to influence by an outsider, an offence that may lead to the party's dissolution.
According to a party source, Pheu Thai is likely to relocate its members and potential candidates to a new party known as "Pheu Tham" (For Dhamma), a political outfit already registered with the EC.
The probe is widely believed by Pheu Thai members as a move to kick the party out of the upcoming general election tentatively scheduled to take place in February next year, the source said.
The National Council for Peace and Order's legal team also lodged a complaint with police against four core party figures for alleged violation of its ban on engaging in political activities and inciting unrest.
At the Democrat Party, it was agreed that about 2.5 million members who did not join new parties would be allowed to nominate candidates in the party leadership contest.
Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said these members never resigned, but were disqualified due to a regime order involving party membership confirmation.
A party source said several key members were concerned letting old members take part could be seen as allowing outsiders to exert influence, but finally agreed to it because the final decision would rest with party executives.
Mr Abhisit on Wednesday also ruled out a Pheu Thai-Democrat political alliance, saying it would be impossible unless the Pheu Thai Party changed the way it conducted political activities.
He dismissed as untrue reports that Pheu Thai would support him becoming premier in a bid to block the regime's return to power.
Mr Phumtham also denied reports the party would join hands with the Democrats to back Mr Abhisit as prime minister.