Key strategists and campaigners of the Thai Raksa Chart have stopped electioneering, leaving constituency candidates to canvass for votes alone, now the Election Commission's case for the party's dissolution has reached the Constitutional Court.
Chaturon Chaisaeng, TRC's chief election strategist, told a press conference at the party's headquarters on Thursday they had ceased making speeches and attending campaign rallies to prevent complications.
Nattawut Saikuar, TRC's chief campaigner, said the party's candidates in about 100 electorates would continue meeting with voters, but the campaign teams from the party's headquarters would suspend their field activities until the Constitutional Court makes a decision.
"The issue is sensitive. Making speeches to crowds of people would not go down well. We should focus on the preparation of our testimony and procedures at the Constitutional Court... We will not make any explanations to people pending the trial," Mr Chaturon said.
He did not expect the absence of key figures would seriously affect candidates' election campaigns.
Mr Chaturon said he still believed TRC executives had good intentions and acted in the national interest in deciding to nominate Princess Ubolratana as the party's sole candidate for primeminister. He did not take part in the official registration process last Friday. The Election Commission subsequently disallowed the nomination and on Wednesday asked the Constitutional Court to dissolve the party.
The party cancelled a scheduled news conference on Wednesday.
Asked if his and Mr Nattawut's absence from the party since last Friday was indicative of a rift within the TRC, Mr Chaturon said there was no split.
He also said the defence case to be presented in court during the dissolution hearing was the responsibility of party executives. He and other key figures were ready to support them.