Sathit Pitutecha, deputy public health minister and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, has denied speculation he is defecting to the Bhumjaithai Party, or any other party.
Speaking before the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Mr Sathit said he did not know why the rumour had spread.
He had been busy with the funeral of his late elder brother.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, the former Democrat Party leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, the Bhumjaithai leader and public health minister, and some other cabinet members had attended the funeral.
Mr Sathit said he talked to guests from every party, and nobody talked about people switching parties. “We gave one another due respect. So the report of me defecting to another party is groundless,” he said.
Asked whether he had been approached to defect to the Bhumjaithai Party, Mr Sathit said, “No. I will still be with the Democrat Party at the next election.”