Rumours have been swirling around the party that Thai Rak Thai will ask the various factions to contribute half the campaign spending of their MP candidates. The rumours make sense because the government to be formed after the election will be only a taskforce designed to amend the Constitution. It also remains uncertain whether Thaksin will take the top spot on the party list.

Therefore, Thaksin and Khunying Pojaman may be less enthusiastic about contributing to party coffers.

The Matichon newspaper has broken down the party's different factions to find out which is likely to get the most votes in the new election, based on ability to raise funds.

And the winner is ... the Wang Nam Yom (Palace of the River Yom) faction of Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the party's secretary-general who recently was caught up in the CTX scandal. Suriya owns Thai Summit Co, which supplies parts to Toyota.

Another member is deputy party leader Somsak Thepsuthin, who is rich from rice milling and construction. If sheer fund-raising ability determines the outcome of the election, Wang Nam Yom should rack up the most winning candidates.

Then there's the influential Bangkok faction, led by Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, whose husband owns a property business. The Bangkok faction's clout is propelled by Sudarat's potential to become the first female prime minister. Another member is caretaker Deputy Public Health Minister Anutin Charnveerakul, heir to Sino-Thai Construction Plc.

The Rim Nam (Near the Water) faction is led by Sontaya Kunplome, an MP who has diverse business interests in Chon Buri province. This clique is also supported by Sora-at Klinpratoom, who oversees MPs in the Central provinces.

Yoawapa Wongsawat, a sister of Thaksin, leads the Wang Bua Ban (Palace of the Blossoming Lotus) faction. She is a co-founder of M Link Asia Corp Plc, which is involved in mobile phones, computers and housing projects. Another member is Varathep Ratanakorn, a deputy finance minister in Thaksin' sfirst and second administrations.

The Lam Ta Kong (Ta Kong River) faction of Suwat Liptapanlop is supported by his construction business. This group is in charge of the northeastern provinces.

Thai Rak Thai also has a "Batman" faction led by Pracha Maleenont, the boss of Channel 3 TV network, who is in charge of the North. This faction is called Wang Kang Kao (Bat Palace).

Finally, the party also has a South faction led by Wan Muhamad Noor Matha and Sutham Saengpratoom. However, this group has lost clout lately because of the party's poor performance in the southern provinces. Maybe, the faction's boring name was a jinx. South should be changed to something more colourful ... How about "Palace of the Unruly"?

Jeerawat@nationgroup.com