Both the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties plan to have their MPs help with campaigning for next month's by-election in Bangkok's Constituency 6.
The Democrats will call a meeting of party MPs this afternoon to prepare for "full-scale campaigning" for Panich Vikitsreth, the party leader's spokesman Thepthai Senapong said.
Key figures in the opposition Pheu Thai Party also plan to have party MPs help campaign for Kokaew Pikulthong in case he is not allowed to leave prison during his remand period, Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meenchainant, who is leading the campaigning efforts, said.
He explained that Pheu Thai's Bangkok MPs, led by Kokaew's fellow red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Prompan and Karun Hosakul, would help with canvassing for votes.
Kokaew's lawyer Karom Polthaklang said yesterday he would appeal for the candidate's temporary release in the run-up to the July 25 by-election. If the court does not allow an extended period, he will ask for Kokaew to be allowed out for at least a day or two every week.
Kokaew is currently under remand along with 10 other red-shirt leaders on charges of terrorism related to the recent political unrest.
Election candidates began registering yesterday morning at the Klong Sam Wa District Office. The five candidates were required to draw lots to determine their candidacy numbers.
Constituency 6 covers the districts of Bueng Kum, Khan Na Yow, Klong Sam Wa and Nong Chok.
Panich, who resigned as vice minister for the Foreign Ministry to contest the election, picked the number 1, much to the delight of his supporters. Kokaew drew the number 4.
Thepthai said the heavy presence of Pheu Thai's red-shirt supporters at the registration site yesterday did not bode well for the upcoming by-election. He said many were behaving aggressively and inappropriately.
He warned Pheu Thai politicians against making false allegations against the Democrat candidate or the party leader, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, particularly about the doctored audio clip of the PM purportedly ordering the massacre of protesters in April last year. Thepthai said according to law, campaigning with false information could lead to the candidate's disqualification.