The main opposition Pheu Thai Party picked acting head Viroj Pao-in as its leader ahead of a general election expected in 2019 after more than four years of military rule.
Pol Lt Gen Viroj was the only name on the leadership ballot, the party said in a briefing on Sunday. The party added it will decide later if Viroj -- who was once a deputy prime minister in an earlier Thai administration -- will be its candidate for prime minister in the national poll.
Pheu Thai Party held its first general assembly to elect a new leader and new executive committee, as well as an 11-member committee to screen election candidates.
About 300 party members - led by acting party leader Pol Lt Gen Viroj Pao-in, acting party secretary-general Phumtham Vechayaychai and core party members including Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, Nattawut Saikuar and former transport minister Chadchat Sittipan - turned up at the party headquarters on New Phetchaburi road to attend the assembly.
Election Commission officials were also in attendance as observers.
Earlier, Mr Phumtham said the purpose of the assembly is to endorse the party regulations amended in line with the new constitution, elect the new party leader and elect a new executive committee, which will serve a four-year term. An 11-member committee will also be set up to screen candidates for the upcoming general elections.
Mr Phumtham acknowledged there had been reports that Pheu Thai was facing possible dissolution. He expressed confidence that the party would overcome any obstacles because it had properly carried out activities within the scope of the law.
Mr Phumtham did not confirm or deny a report that Panthongtae, the only son of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would take up a post in the executive committee of the Thai Raksa Chart Party, a back-up party formed in case Pheu Thai is dissolved. Mr Pathum said the matter had nothing to do with Pheu Thai.
Even if Mr Panthongtae were an executive member of the Thai Raksa Chart Party as reported, Mr Phumtham said, he did not believe this would confuse Pheu Thai Party members since everybody has the right to join a political party of his or her choice.
Khunying Sudarat declined to comment on a report that she would be made chairwoman of the party's strategic committee while Pol Lt Gen Viroj, the acting party leader, would be made the leader, saying that all concerned should wait for the results of the vote at the party assembly.
Mr Chadchat, a former transport minister in the Yingluck Shinawatra government, said he attended the meeting as a party member. He said he was not ready to take any party post as he is still a business executive.
When asked if he would accept a party nomination for the post of prime minister, he said he would not do so.
Mr Chadchat said he would also decline any other party posts, if nominated.