The Pheu Thai Party is putting together a government without the Move Forward Party (MFP) and will nominate property tycoon Srettha Thavisin as prime minister in the next round of voting scheduled for this Friday, according to sources.
The Pheu Thai-led coalition comprises 10 parties that include five new partners -- Bhumjaithai, the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), the Democrat Party, the Chartthaipattana Party and the Chartpattanakla Party, the sources said. The four others are Prachachat, Pheu Thai Ruam Palang, Seri Ruam Thai and Plung Sungkom Mai, part of the eight-party bloc formed shortly after the May 14 general election.
MFP heavyweights are reportedly against this development, and the party does not have to vote for the Pheu Thai's prime minister candidate if it is pushed into the opposition, according to the sources.
The MFP also believes if Pheu Thai decides to bring in any of the "uncle" parties, the party should deal with the consequences of its decision, said the sources. The uncles are referred to the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as its prime ministerial candidate and the PPRP led by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon.
According to the sources, Pheu Thai has reached deals with the PPRP and the Democrat Party in which the two parties will get five and three cabinet seats each.
Gen Prawit will not take a cabinet seat, but his younger brother and former national police chief, Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon, will be part of the cabinet.
According to the sources, the UTN has not been approached to join the bloc to avoid strong resistance from Pheu Thai supporters.
