Gen Wit Devahastin na Ayudhya has resigned as leader of the Ruam Phaen Din Party and is prepared to return to the ruling Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) as chief adviser to its leader, Gen Prawit Wongsuwon.
Gen Wit, a close associate of Deputy Prime Minister and PPRP leader Gen Prawit, said on Thursday that he will rejoin the PPRP following Gen Prawit's invitation and will today attend the party's general assembly.
"I want to help Gen Prawit in the election campaign and will serve as chief adviser to the party leader only. I don't want any executive post and won't contest the election," Gen Wit said by way of explanation.
According to Gen Wit -- who has maintained close ties with Gen Prawit since they served as army officers in Sa Kaeo under the 2nd Infantry Division more than 40 years ago -- Gen Prawit is clearly well qualified to assume the premiership and has the political will to reduce conflicts and minimise divisiveness.
Gen Wit was handpicked by the PPRP leader as chairman of the party's strategic committee in September 2021 before he left the party last year to lead the Setthakij Thai Party following the expulsion of a faction led by Capt Thamanat Prompow.
Amid rumours about a split between him and Capt Thamanat, Gen Wit was forced to step down as the party leader. He then moved over to Palang Chart Thai, which was renamed Ruam Phaen Din in August of last year.
Meanwhile, a source in the Setthakij Thai Party on Thursday rejected as untrue reports that Capt Thamanat and his group will today attend the party's assembly to mark their planned reunion.
The source said Capt Thamanat would stay put at Setthakij Thai and will make a decision after the House term ends or in the event that there is a House dissolution.
The MP for Phayao hinted earlier that he was about to reunite with Gen Prawit when he brought four prospective election candidates to meet the PPRP chief in Lampang.
PPRP deputy leader Paiboon Nititawan said yesterday he will propose changes to the party regulations at today's meeting, which include allowing the party to initiate the prime ministerial candidate selection before a decree on elections is announced.
Mr Paiboon said if the proposed changes are accepted at the meeting, it is possible the party will initiate the prime ministerial candidate selection process.