Thailand GE: Move Forward Party seeks alliance to form coalition

BANGKOK, Thailand -The leader of Thailand's opposition Move Forward Party, Pita Limjaroenrat confirmed that he has been in contact with at least five other opposition parties to form a coalition government.

He confirmed that he has talked to parties including Pheu Thai (141 seats), Prachachart (nine seats ), Thai Sang Thai (six seats ) and Thai Liberal Party (one seat) and other small parties to get 309 seats.

"It is clear we can secure the majority in forming the government.

"We will try to form the government as soon as possible to avoid a political vacuum,” he told a press conference here today.

When asked about the 250 senators who may sway the choice of prime minister, Pita said they should decide their stance and should not go against the people’s will.

On Sunday’s polls, the two opposition groups - Move Forward Party and Pheu Thair Party secured 292 of 500 seats in the house of representatives- 400 seats for winning constituency candidates and 100 party seats allocated on a proportional representation basis.

With 99 per cent of the vote counted, youth-driven pro-democracy party, Move Forward came top with 151 seats (112 constituency seats and 39 party-list seats), the Pheu Thai Party linked to Thailand's self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra won 141 seats (112 constituency, 29 party-list).

For the incumbent conservative camp, Bhumjaithai party, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, surprisingly came in third place in the election and secured 71 seats (68 constituency, three party-list).

Palang Pracharat which is the main party of the outgoing ruling coalition led by Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwan won 40 seats (39 constituency, one party-list) and United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, which nominated Prime Minister Prayuth Chan o-cha as its prime ministerial candidate secured 36 seats (23 constituency, 13 party-list).

Besides that, Democrat Party 25 seats (22 constituency, three part-list) and Pracharat Party nine seats (seven constituency, two party-list).

On Monday, the Election Commission announced the party-list seats for all parties.

The two opposition parties - Move Forward Party and Pheu Thai Party are facing challenges to form the new government following the constitution written by the military after the 2014 coup.

Under the constitution, the junta-appointed 250 senators have a say in the selection of prime minister and form a government. The senators have never voted in favour of the opposition. To become the prime minister of Thailand, a party that wins the majority must secure at least 376 out of the total 750 votes in the two-chamber parliament.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party said the party accepted Move Forward Party’s proposal to lead the formation of the new government.

In a statement, Pheu Thai said it agreed with the Move Forward Party’s invitation extended to parties from democratic alliances to join the new government.

"Pheu Thai Party wishes to confirm that the party has no plan to compete with the Move Forward Party in order to form the new government.

"Pheu Thai Party is of the opinion that the issues and process relating to the formation of the new government are for the Move Forward Party to decide,” it said.

Pheu Thai also congratulated the Move Forward Party for gaining the largest number of seats.

Meanwhile, Election Commission Chairman Ittiporn Boonpracong announced the voter turnout on Sunday as 75.22 per cent.

He said a total of 17 parties have qualified to receive party-list seats.

The EC will officially endorse the results within 60 days. - BERNAMA