ANN/THE STRAITS TIMES – The Pheu Thai Party, backed by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is bringing more partners into its coalition as it attempts to break the political gridlock that has gripped Thailand since the May 14 election.
Six junior parties will join the alliance established earlier this week by second- and third-place election winners, Pheu Thai (141) and Bhumjaithai Party (71), Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew told a press conference yesterday.
The six parties have 16 seats in total, raising the total number of coalition Members of Parliament (MPs) to 228.
This is still short of a simple majority in the 500-member Lower House, as Pheu Thai continues to drum up support in anticipation of the upcoming parliamentary sitting where lawmakers will vote for Thailand’s next prime minister.
The new parties to join the coalition are Prachachat, Seri Ruam Thai, Plung Sungkom Mai, Party of Thai Counties, Pue Thai Rumphlang and Chartpattana Kla. The Pheu Thai-led bloc initially had 212 members.
Cholnan said Pheu Thai believes it will be able to solve the stalemate, and asked for cooperation from all lawmakers to elect its prime minister candidate, real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin, 60, during the vote.
