The Pheu Thai Party will find out which of its former MPs are sticking with the party at a Songkran blessing ceremony at its headquarters on Wednesday
Pheu Thai on Monday opened its headquarters in OAI Tower in Huai Khwang district with scores of people flocking to confirm their membership status.
However, former constituency and party-list MPs, as well as ex-ministers, keen on getting on board for an election campaign are invited to attend Wednesday's event at the headquarters, which will coincide with the party's annual Rod Nam Dam Hua ceremony, according to party secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai.
Prospective MPs will seek blessings Wednesday from three senior figures -- former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, chief adviser Sanoh Thienthong and acting leader Pol Lt Gen Viroj Pao-in.
"Those who have a clear wish to side with Pheu Thai will be in attendance," said Mr Phumtham adding that, however, general members still have until April 30 to confirm their status.
The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ordered political parties to have their existing members confirm their status in April.
Mr Phumtham, meanwhile, complained about the process, saying the order should merely have requested confirmation from anyone who wished to leave the party, which would have been easier.
"If it cares about the country, the NCPO must step down from power and return to their barracks to give political parties and the people the chance to move towards democracy once more," the party's secretary-general said.
In Bangkok, the Pheu Thai Party headquarters, he said, is the only place where people can confirm their membership in person, while people in the provinces can contact party representatives or former MPs to facilitate the process.
The party launched a Line account Monday, "@pheuthaiparty", which will serve as a communications channel between the party and people.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said he is aware of the complaints regarding the confirmation process. The Office of the Ombudsman last week decided to seek a Constitutional Court ruling on the validity of the order following petitions by the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties.
The Council of State is drafting legislation which would amend the order, but the final say on the amendment will rest with the NCPO meeting, according to the deputy premier.
Meanwhile, other political parties are also in the process of having their members confirm their status.
Nikorn Jamnong, an executive of the Chartthaipattana Party, was the first party member to undergo the process at the party's office Monday.
He said Chartthaipattana has about 20,000 members, most of whom are in the Central Plains provinces. Efforts must be made to ensure as many people confirm as possible, according to Mr Nikorn.
Responding to reports that Siriwat Kachornprasart, son of the late key party member Sanan Kachornprasart, would switch to the Bhumjaithai Party, Mr Nikorn said he would not know until the end of the month. If Mr Siriwat fails to show up, it will not affect the party, he noted.
Also Monday, The Chartthaipattana Party also opened its office in Nakhon Ratchasima's Muang district for the same purpose. Hundreds of party members were seen queuing to undergo the process.
Party leader Wannarat Charnnukul said the party supports an elected figure to serve as prime minister, except if there is an impasse, in which case the party may consider another option.
