Ninth party joins coalition seeking to form Thai govt

Bangkok, Aug 10 (EFE).- The Pheu Thai party, who came second in May’s elections in Thailand and is attempting to form a government to resolve the political blockade in the country, announced Thursday its alliance with a new platform, the ninth of the coalition.

With the agreement with the Chatthaipattana party, the new coalition – made official Monday – now controls 238 of the 500 seats in the elected parliamentary lower house.

This alliance, which could still be expanded, seeks to present construction magnate Srettha Thavisin as a candidate for prime minister.

To be elected prime minister, Srettha needs at least 376 seats during a bicameral voting session in which 249 senators – handpicked in 2019 by the former military junta before returning to democracy – also participate.

Senators rejected the progressive Move Forward party’s attempt to form a government en masse on July 13, creating the current political blockade almost three months after the formation won the May 14 election.

Pheu Thai last week broke its alliance with Move Forward, whose victory caused a political upheaval in Thailand due to its reformist policies, and created its own coalition at the expense of the winners.

Pheu Thai leaders went Wednesday afternoon to the headquarters of Move Forward – which won 151 seats – to discuss with their leaders a possible vote in favor, with which they would exceed the required figure and would be able to form a government without the senate’s votes.

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat said that his formation has yet to decide whether it will support the coalition headed by the Pheu Thai.

To date there is no bicameral session scheduled to choose the next prime minister. EFE

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