Caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang moved the party to its new headquarters on Rama III last month, citing cost cutting.

It is the fourth home for the nine-year-old party. It started out in a Rajvithi building before moving to Shinawatra Tower on Vibhavadi-Rangsit, then to the IFCT building on New Phetchaburi and it is occupying the first floor of the Navasorn.

The party refused to reveal the cost but said it was saving a considerable amount after moving from its previous premises.

The headquarters are not luxurious when compared with its IFCT offices owned by Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of former prime minister Thaksin, who bought the building for Bt800 million.

The new space has been divided into a reception area, a newsroom, and offices for party staff.

There are three computers, a fax machine and one television in the newsroom. The press area at the IFCT building had five computers, five televisions and a snack bar.

Chaturon denied the change of location had anything to do with geomancy, or feng shui. He said the new space was "bright and airy".

However, the move was apparently prompted by superstition. In an earlier interview with The Nation, Chaturon said the new offices were "in a good location because the building is near the Chao Phya".

Chaturon said the party would operate without financing from former leader Thaksin. He said the current executives were now funding its activities.

According to Election Commission data released on Friday, the Thai Rak Thai has received about Bt3 million in donations in the past two months, the most by any political party.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn

The Nation