A PPRP source said the gathering was meant to serve as a warning by the Sam Mitr group to other party members after reports emerged that some key figures of the group may see their cabinet seats re-allocated to other PPRP members from a different faction in the next cabinet shake-up following the censure debate. The Sam Mitr group is made up mainly of politicians who switched from other parties including Pheu Thai. The faction was responsible for the PPRP’s victory in many constituencies in the election last year. However, critics said that despite Capt Thamanat’s insistence the faction no longer exists, prominent members of the group and affiliated MPs have significant bargaining power in the ruling party. Up to 60 government MPs will attend a seminar in Chon Buri three days before the censure debate to exchange information which might be useful for mounting a defence in the no-confidence session.
