Parties From Outgoing Ruling Bloc Refuse To Join Any Coalition Involving MFP

The Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (UTN), Bhumjaithai Party (BJT) and Chart Thai Pattana Party (CTP) refused to enter any coalition with Pheu Thai Party (PTP) as long as it includes election front-runners Move Forward Party (MFP), local media outlets report.

• It was confirmed today that Pheu Thai will now take the lead in government formation after the MFP's sole PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat lost the chance for another nomination. The PTP announced that it would seek support from other parties before proposing its own candidate.
• The existing pro-democracy coalition has 312 MPs, including 151 from the MFP and 141 from Pheu Thai. The threshold for electing a Prime Minister is 375 votes, due to a resignation of one lawmaker. Hence, any bloc supporting a new PM needs to secure the votes of some pro-military MPs or junta-appointed senators.
• Among parties which are not part of the eight-party coalition, the BJT has 70 MPs, the PPRP has 40 MPs, the UTN has 36 MPs, while the CTP has 10 MPs. In addition, the Democrat Party has 25 MPs, but it remains in the midst of a leadership crisis and said that it is not in talks with any party.
• Khaosod reporter Pravit Rojanaphruk writes that "with Bumjaithai, UTN and prominent junta-appointed senators like Somchai Sawaengkarn saying no to Pheu Thai as long as they're still with Move Forward Party, the chance of MFP ending up in the opposition is now high to very high."