About 20 former executives are likely to be reinstated when the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) holds a general assembly on Saturday to elect a new executive committee, said acting PPRP deputy leader Paiboon Nititawan.
He said the election of the party's new executive committee will see the return of several old faces but stopped short of saying if four party heavyweights led by acting party leader Uttama Savanayana would make a comeback.
Critics doubt that the four figures -- Mr Uttama, PPRP acting secretary-general Sontirat Sontijirawong, Suvit Maesincee and Kobsak Pootrakul -- stand a chance of being reelected after a rebellion on June 1 when 18 out of 34 executives stepped down to force the change in leadership.
The mass resignation was intended to pave the way for Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP chief strategist Prawit Wongsuwon to become the new leader. Gen Prawit accepted the invitation to take the helm early this week.
According to Mr Paiboon, the party will also adopt a new structure in which the number of executives will be reduced to no more than 29, from the current 34.
Mr Paiboon insisted the change in leadership is an internal affair and designed to unify and strengthen the party so that it can better support the work of Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.
He said it has nothing to do with a highly anticipated cabinet reshuffle.
A source at the PPRP said the election of the party's new executive committee will see the return of old members except the following eight: Mr Uttama; Mr Sontirat; Mr Suvit; Mr Kobsak; Pornchai Trakulwaranont; Wichian Chawalit; Chuan Chuchan; and Santi Kiranant.
According to the source, the new committee will comprise 26 members with Gen Prawit appointed as the party leader and deputy chief strategist Anucha Nakhasai as the party secretary-general.
In another development, the Election Commission (EC) has announced the termination of five small political parties.
In its announcement published in the Royal Gazette, the EC said the Foundation Party, the Thai Teachers Power Party, the Bhumphalang Kasettrakonthai Party, the Thai Ethic Party, and the Thailand Development Party, have been dissolved because they cannot comply with the organic law governing political parties.