The ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) has yet again dismissed rumours that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha would join a newly formed party in the next election.
"Well, the PM only has one party to be with. Will he set up a new party? No," said Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, also the PPRP leader, when quizzed about rumours that Gen Prayut may be planning to defect to a new party that is being prepared for him. This is not the first time the PPRP has had to dismiss such rumours.
The party has since announced it would fully support Gen Prayut to return as prime minister after the next general election, expected sometime next year.
"Gen Prayut doesn't have to apply for party membership as the PPRP is always committed to supporting him," said Gen Prawit.
Seksakol Atthawong, an assistant minister at the Prime Minister's Office, pointed to findings from a recent opinion poll that indicated that Gen Prayut would win more support from voters if he were to set up a new party.
Nine in 10 of the respondents said such a party should consist of experienced politicians and have policies that reflect the opinions of experts in every sector of society, said Mr Seksakol.
Prawit: Will always back PM
The poll was conducted by the Social Research and Development Institute of the Network of Thai Teacher Organisations from Nov 5-17 among 1,500 eligible voters nationwide.
Gen Prayut saw a high approval rating of 40.16% on the question of whether he should return as prime minister after the next election, while Democrat Party leader Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit had the support of 15.6% of the poll's respondents.
Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul was backed by 11.22% of those who responded while Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, chairwoman of the newly established Thai Srang Thai Party, was supported by 9.83%.