Pheu Thai has started the search for a new leader -- and three candidates have emerged as the strongest contenders to lead the party in national polls expected early next year.
The party held a meeting of executive members on Wednesday after the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) lifted some of the restrictions on political activities before the election tentatively set for Feb 24.
The focus was on finding a permanent replacement for acting leader Pol Lt Gen Viroj Pao-in, who is tipped to make way for a new chief.
Acting secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai said the list of candidates remained open for party members to make nominations. He did not deny that Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan and Somchai Wongsawas - the brother in law of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - were among possible contenders.
Asked about the chances that Panpree Phahithanukorn could rise to the top party position, Mr Phumtham said he would hold talks with the former trade representative, as Mr Panpree has yet to announce his intention to vie for the position.
Mr Panpree was a former deputy Pheu Thai leader and also an advisor to the finance minister when Thaksin was the government leader.
The Pheu Thai leader can be an insider or outsider - and the seat was not exclusively reserved for the Shinawatras, Mr Phumtham said.
The party leader will be chosen when Pheu Thai holds a general assembly for members on Oct 28.
The secretary-general said Pheu Thai will also propose three names to be the nextprime minister under the new constitution.
Pheu Thai, the latest incarnation of the political movement founded by Thaksin, won the 2011 election and made Yingluck Shinawatra the country's first female prime minister, although she was not the party leader.
