He was speaking at a press conference held in response to rumours that the party was in talks with fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

But Warawut, son of the party’s late founder Banharn, insisted Chart Thai Pattana was not up for sale as it wished to pursue the founder’s spirit and ideology.

Instead it would build on its credibility until it has become the party of the people.

Varawut said he had held discussions with the party’s senior figures and advisers, including Nikorn Chamlong, and they had agreed to stay with the party. The party would find ways to raise funding to run politics later, he said.

He added that Chart Thai Pattana would not turn down the chance to form an alliance with the others but this would come after the election is held.

“It’s normal to forge ties to form a government or whatsoever, but this for sure is not ‘selling’ the party either,” said Warawut.