At least one Democrat MP is likely to defect from the party, which will convene a "roll call" meeting of former MPs of southern constituencies next Friday to see who will definitely leave or stay, say Democrat executives.
Democrat deputy leader Ongart Klampaiboon yesterday confirmed the meeting, saying there was nothing wrong with reviewing party membership ahead of April 1 which marks the start of the period in which parties are to present their membership database to the Election Commission.
Political observers, however, were curious as to why only the party's former MPs from the South were invited to the meeting. The South is the Democrat's largest support base from where most of its MPs in the past were drawn.
It is also the region where the Muan Maha Prachachon Foundation, headed by the Democrat's former secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban, may be looking to tap if and when he decides to establish a party in the foundation's name, observers said. Mr Ong-art, however, declined to comment on speculation that at least three Democrat former MPs will exit the party.
On Saturday, fellow deputy party leader Nipit Intharasombat said he believed former MP for Surat Thani, Thanee Thaugsuban, will quit the party before April 1.
Mr Thanee has made it known for some time he wanted to help Mr Suthep, his elder brother, with the foundation.
Mr Thanee is the coordinator of political groups attached to the defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee which led the mass protest against the Pheu Thai Party-led government later toppled from power in the 2014 military coup.
