It is not illegal for poll candidates to change their first names to "Thaksin" or "Yingluck", according to the Department of Provincial Administration.
"Changing a name is within people's rights as long as the name is not deemed immoral, indecent or the same as a royally bestowed name," the department's deputy director-general Wichian Chidchanoknart said.
There are thousands of people called Thaksin or Yingluck and their names are not considered illegal, he said.
He was commenting on several prospective Puea Chat Party candidates who have changed their names to Thaksin or Yingluck, presumably to try and cash in on the popularity of the two fugitive former prime ministers -- Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra.
Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan, who supports the Puea Chat Party, on Monday said no one within the party told the candidates to change their names.
He said he only became aware of the name changes when the party's candidates turned up to register their candidacy on Monday.
"I think the name changes are a result of their own initiative," said Mr Jatuporn, adding he respected their move.
"These candidates may think that more people will vote for them as a result," Mr Jatuporn said.
Former Pheu Thai MP for Surin, Prasit Chaisrisa, on Monday accompanied his wife and sister -- Yingluck and Yingrak Chaisrisa -- to register their application to run as party candidates in the northeastern province at Surindra Rajabhat University in Muang district.
It was reported that the pair had recently changed their names to Yingluck and Yingrak.
Mr Prasit was freed from prison in March 2016 after serving 22 months for lese majeste. He was barred from standing in an election for 10 years following his release. Two other prospective candidates in Phayao changed their names to Thaksin.
