Abhisit said he had been in talks with returned members and they had the same goal of fighting against wrongdoings and abuses of power, so there was no problem.

The Democrat Party, Abhisit added, was established with firm foundations and principles, which helped neutralise any differences between members.

The erstwhile PDRC members, formerly Democrat MPs who had resigned to fight on the street, also assured him they would follow the party’s approach.

This requires more than 250 MP seats, plus some support from appointed senators to meet the required number of 376 seats to form a legitimate government.

“It’s something we call constitutional, and it’s the people’s will [to allow the MPs to play a role first],” said Abhisit.

Abhisit’s deputy Nipit Intarasombat said the former PDRC members may have different ideas, but when they return they have to follow what the party says.

Nipit said he did not think the country’s oldest political party would see a serious split such as that experienced in 1987, which led to mass defections of key party members.