Pheu Thai to lead new coalition in Thailand, caretaker PM says

[BANGKOK] The Pheu Thai Party plans to head negotiations to forge Thailand’s new government coalition that will also nominate the country’s next leader, Caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said following the Constitutional Court’s verdict on ethics that ended Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s premiership.

Despite the loss of its leader, Pheu Thai is confident it can retain enough partners to still hold power in parliament, Phumtham said after a meeting with executives from at least five other parties. Leaders from United Thai Nation, Democrat, Chartthaipattana, Prachachat and Chart Pattana parties were represented in the discussion, he said. 

However some opposition groups plan to challenge this effort, with officials from the Bhumjaithai Party saying they already secured support from the People’s Party, the biggest group in parliament.  

“Pheu Thai Party is confident it can form a new government,” Phumtham says. “We don’t want a political vacuum.” 

He didn’t say whether Pheu Thai’s only eligible candidate for the premiership, Chaikasem Nitisiri, would be nominated for the post. BLOOMBERG