The Buri Ram faction, led by Newin Chidchob, quit Chat Thai in 2005 to join the then prosperous Thai Rak Thai Party.

After the coup last September, several TRT factions and key figures jumped ship and Newin kept a low profile.

When TRT was dissolved by the Constitution Tribunal last month, Newin was among 111 party executives stripped of electoral rights, but his Buri Ram group became active again.

A source in the Buri Ram faction said Wednesday that its members had discussed the political situation and agreed that the junta wanted to remove key TRT figures, especially cronies of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra like Newin and Yongyuth Tiyapairat.

"We have to find a solution and a return to Chat Thai is among the options," the source said.

However, Newin claimed he was unaware of this latest move.

When Newin and his Buri Ram group cut their links with Banharn to move to TRT, Banharn was so upset that he announced a breakup with Newin.

Prasit Tangsrikiatkul, a member of the Buri Ram faction, said his group remained undecided about its political future. He added that most faction members are still affiliated with TRT and that even though TRT has been dissolved, group members would not necessarily return to Chat Thai.

"I haven't heard about these rumours. We will discuss with Newin about what to do next," he said.

Meanwhile, Chat Thai deputy leader Somsak Prisanananthakul said that former TRT MPs had asked for a meeting with Banharn, but he did not know what would be discussed.

"Everyone must wait and see what the new constitution will look like before doing anything. This includes whether Thai Rak Thai can be registered as a political party again," Somsak said.

A Chat Thai source said Buri Ram faction members seemed concerned that the sour relationship between Banharn and Newin could hamper their return to Chat Thai.