Thailand’s second and third largest parties seek governing coalition

Following the inconclusive election results from last May, Thailand’s second-largest political party, Phue Thai, announced its intent to form a new government coalition with the country’s third-largest party, the conservative Bhumjaithai.

The leaders of both parties, Cholnan Srikaew of Phue Thai and Anutin Charnvirakul of Bhumjaithai, jointly confirmed this in a press conference.

The coalition’s primary aim is to resolve the current political impasse, as the formation of a government has remained unattainable since the May 14th election.

However, the coalition lacks adequate support, with 212 seats in parliament combined, far from the required 251 for an absolute majority.

The two parties affirmed their continued effort to garner further support.

Notably absent from this new coalition is the winner of the election, the progressive Avanzar party, as their exclusion was a condition set by Bhumjaithai, particularly due to their intention to alter the stringent lese-majesty laws.

The formation of this coalition signifies the definitive end of the initial coalition attempted by Avanzar, Phue Thai, and six other parties.

Due to Senate opposition, the previous coalition fell through after two failed attempts in July to nominate Avanzar’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat.

This development comes amidst rumors of the controversial former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s potential return to the country.

The ex-leader, currently in self-imposed exile to avoid the Thai judicial system, has delayed his return due to unspecified medical reasons.

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