One party is the subject of perhaps the most intriguing irony of politics in that it may be growing increasingly prominent on account of it being less noticeable amid the rise in political tensions.
Korn: Waiting in the wings
The Kla Party headed by former finance minister, Korn Chatikavanij appears to be operating in a parallel universe with the rest of the political parties tangled in a power struggle fuelled by pressure within and outside of parliament.
The very fluid state of politics which has evolved particularly quickly over the past week has unleashed a flurry of speculation about what might become of the government which, according to some political sources, has had to weather the most turbulent storm on the political front since taking office last year.
The Prayut Chan-o-cha administration was battered by the Covid-19 pandemic which tested the country's resilience.
Public health authorities have been credited with the shining success in containing local transmission though this has come at a huge economic cost from having to keep the borders shut.
Rubbing salt into the wound has been the upsurge in the political mercury stoked by the anti-government mass rallies. Despite the latest mass protest on Sept 19 at Sanam Luang having been riled by critics as underwhelming in terms of the turnout, the anti-government movements command a large following and could destabilise the administration.
The campaign to push for constitutional amendments, which has also turned up the heat on the government, has been thrown into disarray after the majority of the ruling Palang Pracharath Party MPs were joined by other lawmakers in voting to have the amendment motions put on the backburner pending a study of related issues.
The Covid-19 repercussions, the protests and the charter amendment push have ignited commotions in parliament's chambers, online and on the streets. Observers said most political parties are being watched as the upswing of political volatility has renewed speculation about a unity government possibly being established in the future with the main opposition Pheu Thai Party crossing to the coalition benches.
As the majority of parties are busy sorting out political affairs and fighting to gain the upper hand, the Kla Party has distanced itself from the pack.
Although the party is new to the scene, having been registered after last year's election, and has no MP to its name, Kla doesn't waste any time engaging in political bickering and is working hard to secure a strong "brand" of its own, according to the observers.
The "branding" prowess comes mainly from what it regards as its pragmatic approach in conducting the business of politics and breaking down the invisible barriers created by the longstanding political polarisation.
In his interview with an anti-government broadcasting channel, Mr Korn, the party leader seen widely to be on the government's side, spoke of the critical need for the country to revitalise the ailing economy by stimulating tourism.
He hammered home his message that was underscored by his almost hallmark tagline of "The government can get down to it right away", which highlights his touted pragmatism.
In the interview, Mr Korn suggested the government give its thoughts on an idea to promote tourism attractions where foreign nationals can set up bases and work long-distance under the "Work From Thailand" scheme. The main incentive for visitors to do so has to do with the country's exceptional track record in public health safety testament in its successful fight against the local transmission of Covid-19. Mr Korn said he believed that under the scheme, visitors will stay for many months at a time and earn the country more revenue.
A marketing expert said that by staying away from the routine wrangling in politics, Mr Korn has positioned the Kla Party as a new political product which can draw sizeable numbers of supporters. The party has the potential to tap into a vast pool of the "silent majority" disenchanted by the daily arguments involving politicians.
Pheu Thai goes back to ex-wife
One chapter has closed and another is beginning for the main opposition Pheu Thai Party, which this week saw the election of a new executive board forced by the resignation of Sompong Amornvivat as the party leader.
Potjaman: Power behind the scenes
However, the first person to quit a key position was Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, who announced on Facebook that she was resigning as chief strategist a day after parliament went into recess.
Following suit were former parliament president Pokin Polakul, former finance minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, former deputy premier Pongthep Thepkanjana and former deputy commerce minister Wattana Muangsook, who all quit Pheu Thai's strategic committee.
Following their departure, Mr Sompong's resignation was just a matter of time, said political observers. As expected, he eventually stepped down and, as widely expected, was re-elected at the party special assembly on Thursday.
Whenever there is a shake-up in Pheu Thai, fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is in self-imposed exile, is often involved, albeit remotely and behind the scenes. However, his involvement is never confirmed by party officials.
On Thursday, however, it was his ex-wife, Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra, who was reported to have been behind Pheu Thai's biggest reshuffle in a long time.
Many observers believe she is the tie that binds Pheu Thai together with her clout encompassing party heavyweights and MPs from various factions.
After all, she is the former wife of Mr Thaksin, the man who founded the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, which morphed into the People Power Party (PPP), which was also dissolved over electoral fraud. Remnants of the PPP then consolidated and led to the formation of Pheu Thai.
At the Thursday assembly, 24 new executive board members were elected.
There are 10 new deputy party leaders on the new executive.
They include Gp Capt Anudith Nakornthap, who formerly served as secretary-general; Kittiratt Na-Ranong, who resigned from the party's strategic committee; Sutin Klungsang, a Pheu Thai MP and chief opposition whip; Chusak Sirinil, the party's legal affairs chief; and Pichai Naripthaphan, a former energy minister.
Arunee Kasayanond, a former member of the now-defunct Thai Raksa Chart Party, was appointed as party spokeswoman.
According to party insiders, what matters most in the latest restructuring is the planned setting-up of what some are calling a "super-board" to redraw the party's directions.
The super-board is not the same as the party's executive board, which is a legal entity under the organic law governing political parties and is held responsible if the party commits a serious offence.
While Khunying Potjaman has no official position on the super-board, she is expected to play a vital role and have a final say on key issues. She is also expected to attend party meetings after the super-board is in place, according to party insiders.
Pheu Thai has geared up for the change for some time with the party restructuring expected to proceed after parliament closes for its break.
Also expected to return and play a part in running the party are Yaowapa Wongsawat, younger sister of Thaksin, who formerly served several times as Chiang Mai MP, and her husband, former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat.
According to the party insiders, the restructuring will also lead to the return of Pheu Thai veterans who left the party to join the now-dissolved Thai Raksa Chart Party (TRC) to contest last year's general election.
Pheu Thai heavyweights who stepped away to form a political group called "Care" (Creative, Action, Revival and People Empowerment) in June this year are tipped to return to action and lead the drive for essential reforms. They include Phumtham Wechayachai, Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, Prommin Lertsuridej and Surapong Suebwonglee.
According to observers, the "influx" signals the party's determination to push ahead with charter amendments that target the voting system. They are reportedly trying to have at least two ballots reintroduced.
The new voting system, in which a single ballot is adopted for both constituency and party-list MPs, has made it difficult for a political party to grab a parliamentary majority and form a single-party government.
Pheu Thai failed to pick up a single party-list seat at last year's general election and the single-ballot election system was blamed for that failure.
Whether the new-look Pheu Thai can emerge stronger in the political arena remains to be seen.
