Surachart Chamnansin, a former Thai Rak Thai MP for Udon Thani and part of the Wang Phayanak faction, said his faction leader Pinij Charusombat had told faction members to back the CDRM.

As the CDRM has formed a committee to probe corruption-tainted projects under the government of Thaksin Shinawatra, Surachart insisted the Wang Phayanak faction agreed the probe should be launched as soon as possible. "If the investigation implicates any Thai Rak Thai ministers and they fail to refute the allegations, the CDRM should seize their assets," Surachart said.

While Thaksin's opponents were pressuring him to quit politics permanently, but before the CDRM seized power, Surachart vowed to launch a signature campaign in the Northeast to support him.

Meanwhile, deputy Thai Rak Thai spokesman Jatuporn Phromphan said all former Thai Rak Thai ministers would cooperate with the CDRM if the newly appointed National Counter Corruption Commission asked for evidence concerning the allegations.

Despite the blow to Thai Rak Thai, Jatuporn looked on the bright side, saying that the party would be able see the true colours of its key members. "Some of them have turned against the party and accused us of bad things," he said. "We won't forget how they have treated us."

A Thai Rak Thai source said Thaksin was still communicating with his close aides from London and had told them to fight allegations.

"Thaksin has not surrendered and told us to keep the party alive as best we may," the source said. "He is only waiting for the right time to strike back."