Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra's flight from justice is threatening the popularity of the Pheu Thai Party, whose core members are looking to desert the party before its supporters do.
Concerns about the party's fate were raised at a gathering of at least 10 Pheu Thai heavyweights who hastily met at a Bangkok hotel on Friday as soon as the news of Ms Yingluck's abrupt departure broke.
A highly placed source in the party said these key members agreed Ms Yingluck's flight has put the party in the crosshairs of its critics, with its popularity likely to take a hit.
The source asked not to name the participants and the meeting venue.
The group has stressed the need to come up with an exit strategy to regain the confidence of its supporters, but not much can be done at this stage because the Shinawatra family still has a say in the party's affairs, the source said.
The key members also raised concerns about possible defections ahead of a general election, which could break up the party, the source said, adding that the members who are likely to defect are those who can "look after" themselves.
However, such concerns are not shared by the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Tida Thavornseth, chief adviser to the UDD, said that even though some red-shirt supporters are upset by Ms Yingluck's move, her decision is understandable given the extent to which she has been persecuted by the current regime.
"Some people are upset but it shouldn't be a concern and of course it won't hurt Pheu Thai's popularity. This is because this fight is taking place in a system where the rule of law doesn't exist," she said.
"The people understand it well. The more they want to destroy the Shinawatra family, the more sympathy they garner."
Ms Tida said she believes Ms Yingluck has fled the country and in doing so spared the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) a lot of hassle because either ruling would have been divisive among the nation.
"With her gone, the NCPO is relieved," she said, pointing out that Ms Yingluck's supporters would have been upset if she was convicted and her critics furious if she was acquitted.
Ms Tida said her admiration for Ms Yingluck remains unchanged despite the latter's flight.
The ex-prime minister has sacrificed her personal life to work in politics and it may be "too much" to give it all up and go to jail, she said.
However, she said the red-shirt leaders have no role in defending Ms Yingluck before disgruntled supporters but they are ready to stand up for her when asked.
Ms Tida said several of those who are upset expected Ms Yingluck to embrace her fate like Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi.
The UDD leader said people must continue their quest for justice, the rule of law and democracy.
"Tomorrow is a new chapter for the people's politics and politicians. The chapter for Ms Yingluck and her brother Thaksin Shinawatra is now closed," she said.
UDD leader Natthawut Saikuar said he sympathises with Ms Yingluck and respects her decision because he believes the case against her is politically motivated.
He also called on the government to treat her supporters with respect as they proved by their calmness during this trial that they did not intend to cause trouble.
Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Ms Yingluck's escape will not weaken their resolve to track her down and bring her before the Supreme Court.
He said the government has no vested interest in the rice-pledging trial.
According to Mr Wissanu, the government should not give statements on the trial or Ms Yingluck until her whereabouts are known.
Constitution Drafting Commission (CDC) chairman Meechai Ruchuphan said Ms Yingluck needs to appear before the court on Sept 27 if she wants to retain her right to appeal.
He also said the case will not affect the Pheu Thai Party because the case involves an individual and Ms Yingluck's political rights depend on the court's ruling.
The CDC chairman confirmed the 2017 constitution allows Ms Yingluck to appeal the Supreme Court's decision within 30 days. The Supreme Court has yet to issue a ruling in the case against Ms Yingluck so it is not appropriate to discuss the appeal, he added.
Asked who will be held responsible for her "disappearance", Mr Meechai said the ex-premier was not in custody when she disappeared and the authorities could not tail her because that would be an invasion of privacy.
Norawit Lalaeng, Ms Yingluck's lawyer, said he is still waiting for his client to make contact with him and cannot verify whether she has fled the country.
