The Chartthaipattana Party will hold a general meeting on Friday amid speculation that the daughter of late former prime minister Banharn Silpa-archa will take the party's helm.
Varawut Silpa-archa, a core member of the Chartthaipattana Party, said it is making preparations to welcome phuyai, a reference to senior politicians, who have decided to join the party.
He was speaking after attending a meeting at the party's head office to discuss preparations for the Oct 26 general meeting in which a new party leader and executive board will be selected.
Speculation is rife that his elder sister, Kanchana, will be appointed party leader and veteran politician Prapat Photasuthon named the party's secretary-general. Both are seen as old hands.
His comment is widely seen as an admission that Ms Kanchana, a veteran politician in Suphan Buri, the party's political stronghold, will take up the leadership.
She served as deputy education minister from 1999 to 2001 under the Chuan Leekpai government
Earlier, the Chartthaipattana Party had said it would invest in a younger generation of politicians who have the potential to run in the next general election.
It was believed at one point that Mr Varawut would be supported by party members to become the new head of the party.
"We planned to introduce a younger generations of politicians, but having a change of plan isn't a problem. The most important thing is we are working for the party to ensure the old and the new can join hands.
"Let's wait for the Oct 26 meeting when a new executive board takes shape," he said.
Mr Varawut laughed off criticism that the Chartthaipattana is "quietly" enticing politicians from other parties. Some politicians have decided to join Chartthaipattana and that was an honour for the party, he said.
"We just asked them to and they gave us the honour," he said.
It is expected that several political heavyweights will join the Chartthaipattana on that day.
However, Mr Varawut refused to comment on reports that the Ban Rim Nam group of high-profile politicians led by Suchart Tancharoen, who has close ties to the Bhumjathai Party, would join his party.
Mr Varawut said politicians seeking to contest the general election have until Nov 26 to join a political party in order to be eligible.
Mr Prapat did not say if has been chosen as secretary-general.
