Ten of the 11 political parties in Thailand, each awarded with one party-list seat, have pledged to back Palang Pracharath party and support Prayut Chan-o-cha as prime minister, while the other says it will join any coalition that can form a government.

Palang Pracharath dealmaker Somsak Thepsuthin says his Palang Pracharath Party has gathered more than 250 seats. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Pichet Sathirachawal, leader of Thai People Justice, one of the 11 parties, on 9 May  confirmed the pledged on behalf of the 10 parties.

The outlier, New Democracy, could join them soon as its leader Surathin Picharn said his party would go along with any bloc that could form a government.

Small parties have formed a loose alliance for leverage with no official leadership.

Meanwhile, Palang Pracharath dealmaker Somsak Thepsuthin is confident of forming a multi-party government, claiming his party has gathered more than half of the 500 MPs.

He said he saw no problem for Palang Pracharath in allocating seats to the small parties.

However, Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai dismissed Somsak’s claim of securing more than 250 seats, saying the political situation was still uncertain.

(Source: VNA)