Deputy leader Weerasak Khowsurat said many parties planned to invite Pridiyathorn to join them because he could be useful in several ways and not just politically.

"And we believe the Bank of Thailand governor will do his best to help his country," Weerasak said. "I believe every party thinks like us and wants him to join their ranks," he added.

However, Weerasak dismissed speculation that Pridiyathorn will take over the leadership from veteran politician and former premier Banharn Silapa-archa.

"We couldn't answer for him [Pridiyathorn] because he still works as the central bank governor," said Weerasak.

 The Chat Thai Party revealed that among applicants for its membership were politicians, including a former Thai Rak Thai Party MP, Krit Krongphet, and his son, and people from different walks of life.

Krit said on Monday he had become a Chat Thai member and he wants to contest the next election in Maha Sarakham.

Former senatorial candidate Phetdao Tohmeena, the daughter of outgoing Pattani Senator Den Tohmeena, too, has also applied for party membership, the Chat Thai revealed.

However, another deputy leader, Jongchai Thiengtham, said that three members in northeastern provinces had quit the party. Some former senators - including Ang Thong's Niphon Wisityutthasart, Nakhon Ratchasima's Pichet Patthanachote and Nakhon Si Thammarat's Thawin Praison - have decided to join the Democrat Party.

Former Thai ambassador to the United States, Kasit Piromya, has applied as a Democrat member and is expected to contest the next general election, a source close to him said yesterday.