Pro-democracy activists must decide if they will continue challenging the military government as reports emerge that the regime plans to form a political party, said Chaturon Chaisaeng, a key member of the Pheu Thai Party.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) was initially expected to have Gen Prayut campaign as an "outsider prime minister" in next year's vote with the support of the Senate.
However, fresh reports suggest that the regime is likely to form a new political party instead of having Gen Prayut campaign as an "outsider premier". Such a party would have to gain enough parliamentary seats to put forward the nomination in the House of Representatives.
Mr Chaturon's remarks follow reports that several high-profile former MPs were being encouraged to defect to the military-backed party, now thought to be seeking registration with the Election Commission.
The Pheu Thai Party politician said that pork barrel politics are at play, suggesting that state resources are being diverted to secure constituencies for the military-backed party ahead of the vote.
According to Mr Chaturon, the formal party nomination option would make Gen Prayut look more democratic as prime minister as his support will come from elected MPs.
Pro-democracy groups have long opposed Gen Prayut's push to run as an "outsider prime minister". With the cabinet now changing course, activists must decide if they want to keep pressuring the NCPO, said Mr Chaturon.
"In my view, the fight against the NCPO staying in power in any shape and form, as well as Gen Prayut running the country as an outsider prime minister, must carry on," he said.
He added that activists should resist Gen Prayut's return as prime minister by any means.
On Friday, Gen Prayut reiterated in his nationwide weekly TV address that he had no intention to hold on to power.
However, the leader admitted the practice of using unethical ways of "enticing" former MPs and politicians to defect to other parties has long existed. He added the NCPO should not be singled out for "shopping" for defectors.
"[The NCPO] takes a neutral stance," he said. "All we are doing is preparing the groundwork for the election. That's our duty."
He added politicians being "sucked" into another party is a norm in democracy, saying the public can judge whether politicians act in the service of greater good of the nation or not.
On the defection issue, Varawut Silpa-archa, a core member of the Chartthaipattana Party, said there was nothing strange or unethical about politicians moving from one party to another.
The term of "being sucked" into another party was coined by politicians, and meant in a derogatory way, said Mr Varawut. However, he said popular parties naturally draw in defectors.
"It's like players moving to a new football team," he explained.
He voiced support for the NCPO to form a political party and contest a poll, adding that it is best the military stay on the sidelines of the democracy instead of perpetuating a vicious cycle of coups.
Meanwhile, Somkid Cheukong, the former Pheu Thai Party MP for Ubon Ratchathani, said some former MPs, military groups and military supporters have tried to negotiate with politicians in certain constituencies in the North and Northeast to coax them into backing the military-backed party.
He said he did not believe Pheu Thai Party members in those regions would turn their backs on the party as their chance of winning in the polls would be slim without the party's help.
More vulnerable to being tapped into are Pheu Thai politicians based in some Central Plains provinces, he said.
