Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon taking the helm of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) may be a convenient way to put the party's factionalism at bay but it does not augur well for the development of political parties and democracy.
Speculation that Gen Prawit will take over the PPRP's leadership has whirled around for a while, as have news reports about infighting among powerful factions within the party.
The unusual activity has been attributed to an expectation that a cabinet reshuffle could be due soon, thus the need for the party's members to jockey for position.
On Monday, 18 members of the PPRP's executive committee resigned, paving the way for the party to elect a new leader and executive committee.
The party must fix a date for a general assembly to elect a new executive committee within 45 days, or by July 16 in this case.
Gen Prawit seemingly remains ambivalent about the prospect of taking over the party's leadership.
The deputy premier, who was embroiled in a scandal over 30-million-baht worth of "borrowed" luxury watches, gave reporters the customary reply that he will have to think about it as he never wanted to enter politics.
PPRP Bangkok MP Sira Jenjaka was less coy.
He expressly said he will nominate Gen Prawit for leader and Anucha Nakhasai, a Chai Nat MP and key member of the Sam Mitr group which is a faction within the party, as new secretary-general.
The response from former party leader and Finance Minister Uttama Savanayana indicated all is not well within the ruling party.
The outgoing leader who remains in an acting position insisted a change in the party's leadership should be decided by party MPs, not executives.
He also said the party should work to move the country forward rather than playing political games.
Setting aside the rhetoric, it's clear from what is going on that the PPRP's imminent change of leadership will be for the sake of expediency.
The move is being made to serve the interest of factions within the party more than to advance policies and platforms that will be beneficial for a public still reeling from impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak.
That Gen Prawit is tipped to become the new leader is not a promising development for the PPRP as a dependable democratic institution either.
The retired former army chief may be a respected figure among many circles, with enough charisma to convince rival players to stay together under his wings.
But he has demonstrated no other qualities or vision that would make him an ideal party leader.
As deputy premier in charge of security, Gen Prawit has not contributed to any democratic cause.
He also continues to be dogged by the luxury watches scandal, even though the National Anti-Corruption Commission cleared him of making a false assets declaration.
Meanwhile, the public continues to wonder whether it was appropriate for Gen Prawit to borrow as many as 22 luxury watches from a businessman friend without any contract or rental fees.
While it's natural for a political party to go through a leadership change, the process should be for its own betterment, as well as that of the democratic system as a whole.
Members of the PPRP have often chastised old-style politicking. It is incumbent upon them not venture along the same, decadent path.