Members of Thailand’s ruling Palang Pracharat party will go to Government House on Tuesday to invite Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan to become the new party leader, replacing Mr. Uttama Savanayana.

The acting executive board met on Friday and agreed to hold the general assembly of the party on June 27^th, to elect a new executive board, after the automatic disbanding of the original board when 18 members quit on 1^st.

The Government’s chief whip, Mr. Wirat Rattanaseth, said that the meeting today (Friday) went smoothly with former party leader Mr. Uttama and former secretary-general Mr. Sontirat Sontijirawong also present.

Mr. Wirat said that not all former board members would be purged, but he declined to respond when asked whether Messrs. Uttama and Sontirat will be re-elected.

Messrs. Uttama and Sontirat were accused, by board members from the Sam Mit faction, of being aloof from their peers and of not taking good care of party members.

Chainat MP Anucha Nakasai has been touted as the new secretary-general, with Mr. Santi Prompat as the party director.

Informed sources say that the party’s regional leaders, namely Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Somsak Thepsuthin, Santi Prompat and Nuttapol Teepsuwan, will lead party members in presenting an invitation card on a ceremonial tray, decorated with flowers, to General Prawit at Government House.

So far, General Prawit has kept quiet about the possibility of leading the party.