The Bhumjaithai Party will formally open its newly-renovated head office this Friday, but many are keener to see how many defectors from the other parties will show up.

It is speculated that as many as 40 MPs, from the Democrat, Palang Pracharath, Pheu Thai, Move Forward, Thai Economic and Prachachat parties, have pledged to join the Bhumjaithai.

The opening will be presided over by party leader Anutin Charnvirakul, who is the current public health minister.

It is reported that about nine Palang Pracharath MPs, who may join the Bhumjaithai Party, are due to meet tomorrow (Tuesday) to make a final decision.

Responding to a report that about nine Pheu Thai MPs will join Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai Secretary-General Prasert Jantararuangtong said today that their defection would notaffect the party’s chance in the next election, because supporters of the party are not the same as those of the Bhumjaithai Party.

He said that the public will view these defectors as traitors and will not vote them back into parliament.

Opposition chief whip and deputy leader of Pheu Thai, Sutin Klungsang, said that the party is fully aware of the planned defection of this group of MPs, adding that they have already found their replacements, who will stand in the next election.