Thai Prime Minister's Party to Join Pheu Thai-Led Coalition

The military-backed UTN party said it would add 36 seats to the multi-party coalition formed by the Pheu Thai party, ahead of a vote to choose Thailand's new prime minister scheduled for August 22, AFP reported.

Prime Minister Prayuth ran as the UTN's top candidate in Thailand's May 14 House of Representatives election, nearly a decade after he took power in a coup that ousted the Pheu Thai-led government.

"We want the country to move forward, so UTN will join the Pheu Thai government. UTN is ready to support a candidate from Pheu Thai by voting for this candidate on August 22," UTN spokesman Akaradej Wongpitakroj told reporters after the talks.

United Thai Party leader Pirapan Salirathvahibhaga (left) and Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew talk to reporters after earlier talks between the two sides on July 22.

Pheu Thai, a party linked to former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, came second in the May 14 election and has led coalition efforts since the Forward Party withdrew from an eight-party alliance it led in an effort to form a government after the election.

Pheu Thai will nominate businessman Srettha Thavisin as prime minister and the new coalition needs enough votes to approve his nomination, according to AFP.

Previously, CNN on July 11 quoted an announcement from UTN saying that Mr. Prayuth would not run for re-election and would withdraw from politics. Mr. Prayuth will remain Prime Minister of Thailand until a new government is formed.

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