Thai opposition parties meet to discuss forming a coalition

The progressive Move Forward Party (MFP) emerged as the top vote-getter in Sunday's election. MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat met senior officials from five other opposition parties at a Bangkok restaurant for closed-door talks.

The Thai opposition parties met to form an alliance, picture 1. — Leaders of the MFP party and opposition parties met to negotiate the formation of a government . Photo: AFP

Mr. Pita, 42, is trying to build a coalition with the Pheu Thai party, which has dominated Thai politics for two decades, and four other smaller parties.

The MFP won 152 seats, with Pheu Thai coming in second with 141. A coalition with other parties would give them more than 300 of the 500 seats in the House of Representatives.

However, to secure the premiership , the coalition needs a majority in both houses, including the Senate, whose 250 members are pre-selected by the government.

That means the MFP and its allies need at least 376 votes in the House of Representatives to ensure senators cannot block Mr Pita from becoming the new prime minister.

Several senators have spoken out against Mr Pita and his plans to amend the kingdom's royal insult laws. "I will not accept Mr Pita as prime minister," Senator Jadet Inswang said, raising concerns about reform of the monarchy.

Senator Kittisak Ratanawaraha also refused to support Mr Pita. "The prime minister candidate must love the nation and the monarchy," he said.

Hoang Nam (according to AFP)

Source