Pheu Thai has chosen party bigwig Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, former deputy prime minister Chalerm Ubumrung, and Panthongtae Shinawatra, the son of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to spearhead its election campaign, according to a party source.
The trio were picked as many of the party's key figures have defected to other camps, the source noted.
Mr Panthongtae's move to apply to become a party member on Saturday was seen as a significant bid to embolden former MPs who have decided to stick with the party.
It is also a way of making it clear that Thaksin has not left the party, the source noted.
Thaksin's son will make appearances at the party's roadshow stages but he is not expected to talk much.
"His presence alone will reassure people that Thaksin's DNA remains within the party," the source added.
Khunying Sudarat recently topped a list of favourites for next prime minister, according to a Nida Poll survey on the weekend.
She was trailed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.
Gen Prayut downplayed the latest opinion poll in which he came second behind Khunying Sudarat.
He said the poll surveyed only a few thousand people and did not represent the voice of the nation.
"Sometimes, there is more to opinion polls than meets the eye," Gen Prayut said.
According to Nida Poll, the Pheu Thai Party are also favourites to win a general election tentatively slated for Feb 24.
Gen Prayut said that the "same tricks" were being used by certain politicians to confuse people about the performance of his government.
However, he said he believed people have "learned a great deal" since the previous government was ousted in the May 2014 coup.
