Forty Palang Pracharath MPs are likely to vote in support of Pheu Thai’s prime ministerial candidate, one of them, Pai Leeke, claimed on today (Thursday).

The party, which has Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan as its leader, has not yet been approached by Pheu Thai to join the coalition, according to Pai.

They are all agreed in principle, however, to support the Pheu Thai candidate, because we believe that the country is in urgent need of a government, Pai said.

His party won 40 House seats in the May general election, Pai said, adding that all of them endorsed the idea of voting for the Pheu Thai candidate.

Pheu Thai supporters have voiced disagreement with the Palang Pracharath and United Thai Nation parties joining the coalition, as their leaders were involved in the last coup.

Pai said he used to be a Pheu Thai MP and believes that the party will be able to lead the country through political and economic crises.

He insisted that there has been no discussion yet over the possibility of Palang Pracharath joining the Pheu Thai-led coalition.

We wish to see the government set up first, Pai said.