Key figures in the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) said they would have no objection to Capt Thamanat Prompow, leader of the Setthakij Thai Party, and a group of former PPRP MPs rejoining the ruling party.
Justice Minister Somsak Thepsutin, who heads the PPRP's strategic committee, said on Tuesday the party has no issue with the return of Capt Thamanat and the expelled MPs.
Deputy Finance Minister and PPRP secretary-general Santi Promphat said the door was theoretically open.
However, he said it would be up to the party's executive committee to decide on whether to welcome them back.
When Gen Prawit learned several Setthakij Thai MPs who defected from the PPRP were reportedly preparing to run as candidates in Tak, he said the PPRP would not field election candidates in the same constituencies as Setthakij Thai candidates.
This prompted other key figures in the PPRP to adopt similar stances, sources said.
Setthakij Thai is home to 18 MPs, including Capt Thamanat, expelled by the PPRP for acting as renegades.
