Pheu Thai is ready to form a coalition without the Move Forward Party (MFP) and it will bring in parties from the outgoing government if MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat fails to secure enough support to become prime minister in parliament on Wednesday, according to Pheu Thai sources.
The sources said that Mr Pita, the MFP's only prime ministerial candidate, faces several hurdles to his PM bid, and he will still not be able to receive sufficient backing during the second round of voting on Wednesday.
They said the first hurdle is that his critics, especially the 250 senators, will block his renomination.
If rejected, the PM vote will have to be rescheduled, and Pheu Thai will have a chance to nominate its own candidate, the sources said, which would likely be Srettha Thavisin.
The sources went on to say there is not much chance of forming a new coalition government with the MFP because most senators have made it clear they will not support the party due to its stance on amending Section 112 of the Criminal Code, or the lese majeste law.
To overcome this hurdle, Pheu Thai will take the lead in forming the new government and exclude the MFP while trying to bring some parties from the outgoing government into the coalition, such as the Bhumjaithai, Palang Pracharath (PPRP) and Chartthaipattana parties, with a combined number of 300 or so MPs.
"This composition is most likely to happen, and it must be agreed upon [by the parties mentioned above] and approved by the senators before the next round of voting [if Mr Pita fails in his bid today]," the sources said.
"This is a major issue. Pheu Thai may have to take some flak, but we hope people will understand the situation," they added.
