Politicians from Pheu Thai and Democrat parties expect Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to enter the political fray in September while urging him not to use the all-powerful Section 44 to gain the upper hand over other parties in the run-up to the general election.
Both parties believe Gen Prayut is likely to join a pro-regime political party established to support him to reclaim the premiership after in a general election tentatively slated for February 2019.
In an interview with Bloomberg, during his visit to London last Thursday, Gen Prayut said he would announce a decision about his political future in September.
Pheu Thai key figure Chaturon Chaisang told the Bangkok Post he believed that if things do not go wrong, Gen Prayut will decide to join a political party set up by his close associates who have "systematically'' plotted to weaken existing parties, woo voters, build up support bases and poach politicians from other parties.
Speculation is rife that several former Pheu Thai MPs are being courted to join the Phalang Pracharat Party, seen as a potential vehicle to support Gen Prayut to return as premier after the poll.
Mr Chaturon said proof of Gen Prayut's intention to remain in power came when he announced his determination to follow through with the 20-year national strategy and reforms initiated by his government.
Mr Chaturon said a preferred option for Gen Prayut to stage a comeback is to run on the Phalang Pracharat's ticket as one of its three prime ministerial candidates, rather than being chosen as an "outsider prime minister", which would be a more risky path.
A party must win at least 25 seats to be eligible to nominate prime ministerial candidates for the House to vote on.
Gen Prayut will need more than half the votes in parliament, or 375 out of 750 votes, comprising of 500 MPs and 250 appointed senators, to return as prime minister.
"He already has the support of 250 appointed senators in his pocket. He only needs another 126 MPs to back him,'' Mr Chaturon said.
He said the pro-regime party has lured politicians into its fold with attractive "offers". The government controls state mechanisms and an enormous budget through which Gen Prayut wields the power. Also, Section 44 puts him at an advantage over other parties.
Deputy Democrat Party leader Nipit Intarasombat told the Bangkok Post that Gen Prayut's remarks during his interview in London showed that he will definitely enter the political fray.
This is attested to by the pro-Prayut party's attempts to poach politicians from other parties.
"Positives can be drawn from the fact that Gen Prayut will make his political future clear in September. If he enters politics, he will have to face intense scrutiny as other politicians do.