The Shinawatra family will still be used as the trademark of the Pheu Thai Party during its campaign to drum up support from regular voters in the Northeast, one of the party's political strongholds, a party source said.
Citing analyses by a group of former Pheu Thai MPs in the Northeast, the source said the party expects to win the next election but doesn't expect to be able to lead the formation of the new government, as outside parties would attempt to erect obstacles in its way. However, Pheu Thai is still about the Thaksin Shinawatra brand, the source said.
The first political player representing the Shinawatra family will be Somchai Wongsawat, a former prime minister and Thaksin's brother-in-law. He will spearhead a campaign to be launched in Isan on Thursday.
Mr Somchai will lead a tour of northeastern provinces during the Songkran celebrations, the source said.
This is intended as a symbolic movement, aimed more at convincing other political actors of Pheu Thai's bargaining power rather than demonstrating its intention to vigorously lock horns on the political battlefield, the source said.
The Shinawatra family needs to take action because key Pheu Thai Party members still have many cases to fight in court, such as the rice-pledging case facing former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
If it fails to act, some party of the faithful will not take Pheu Thai seriously at the next election, the source said.
While about 30% to 40% of grassroots voters still favour Pheu Thai, another 30% to 40% of middle-class voters can no longer put up with the party.
Even if the Prayut Chan-o-cha administration cannot stay in power, it is unlikely that Pheu Thai will ever return as the ruling party, the source said.
"We former MPs, who are all veteran politicians, share the view the Prayut administration won't let us come back into power, regardless of whether it can remain in government," said the source.
"As can be seen with Ms Yingluck's case, they are taking earnest action against Pheu Thai Party members.''
The source said Pheu Thai will beat the Democrat Party and others in the election, but not with as many seats in parliament as in previous polls.
It would also have trouble taking a dominant role in government again, especially if the current push under the draft charter for a coalition government and small parties stays in place.
Former deputy prime minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, a key Pheu Thai Party figure, said he had observed attempts to downsize political parties in the charter drafting process with the intention of getting a coalition government that will be led by an outsider prime minister.
He said he hopes the National Reform Council (NRC) — which has the final say on the draft charter — will come to its senses on the issue.
If the NRC truly believes in democracy, it will hold a referendum to let members of the public decide whether they support the draft charter, Mr Surapong said.