Abandoning Move Forward Party to form a coalition with the parties in the current Prayut government should be the “last resort” for Pheu Thai Party, according to one of its key leaders.

“For the time being, we should exhaust all the possibilities to form a coalition in accordance with the will of the people,” said Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai, referring to the ongoing attempts by eight political parties to form a post-election coalition under the leadership of Move Forward Party.

Speaking to Thai PBS in an interview over the weekend, Phumtham did not dismiss the possibility of senators rejecting Pita as prime minister.  “But they must come up with a good reason why they will not vote for him,” he said.

The eight parties forming a coalition with a comfortable majority in the House of Representatives are committed to nominating Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat as prime minister.

However, Pita needs support from the senators for his nomination. Many senators have openly voiced opposition to Pita’s prime ministerial nomination for his party’s stand on amending Article 112.

Asked how the eight parties would proceed if Pita is rejected by the Senate.  “We need to hear from them the reason. Then all the eight parties will decide what to do next,” he said.

Phumtham did not dismiss the possibility of Pheu Thai turning its back on Move Forward and joining hands with parties in the current Prayut government in forming a coalition.

“But that would be a very difficult thing to do. It would be the last resort,” he said.

Pheu Thai commands the second largest number of House seats after Move Forward following the May-14 general election. There has been persistent rumour that Pheu Thai has entered into a secret deal with some of the parties in the current government.

Phumtham insisted that the eight parties led by Move Forward are committed to forming a coalition together.

“We have the obligation to honour the will of the people expressed through the ballot box,” he said.