The Pheu Thai Party has recently revised its MP target, aiming to capture 310 House seats in the next polls an ambitious scale-up from the 250 seats and form a solid single-party government. The move is seen by academics as a major task and tactic to intensify the campaign and to get rid of the pro-Prayut camp.
Major parties have been rocked by conflict from within in the lead-up to the next poll and the problem could have a direct bearing on how they fare when the big day comes.
The elections in Chon Buri are being closely watched because not only is it a battleground between two opposing camps, but the outcome can also decide the fate of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is seeking to return as head of the government.
The opposition has outlined a dozen issues to be launched in this week's general debate aimed not at bringing down the government straight away but running it into disrepute for the next polls three months down the road.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's membership of the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party has changed the political ball game for him as he has now accepted the status of full-time politician, and faces the enormous challenge of consolidating the new party.