On 18 May 2023, PM candidate Pita Limjaroenrat announced that his Move Forward Party (MFP) will form a pro-democracy government coalition with another 7 parties after it secured victory in the general election. 

Apart from the MFP, the coalition members are Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai (Thai Liberal), Peu Thai Rumphlang, Fair, and Plung Sungkom Mai.

According to the unofficial results from the Election Commission (EC), the coalition, led by Pita, has 313 out of 376 votes needed for a majority in the combined parliament (House of Representatives plus Senate).

According to the coalition’s joint statement, the parties have agreed to support Pita to be the 30th PM, based on a majority of votes from the people. They will work on an MoU in forming a government in order to oversee their collaboration and address the political, economic, social, and national security crisis. The details of the MoU will be released to the public on 22 May 2023.

Each party will establish a transition team to prepare the new administration to run the country smoothly.

Regarding amendment of Section 112 of the Criminal Code, the royal defamation law, Pita said he has already discussed it, and each party has a policy to amend the law. However, he said that this is not the right time to elaborate on the issue.

When asked about what to do if he does not gain enough votes to become PM, Pita said the negotiation and transition teams have already planned to deal with such a situation and reduce potential risks to forming a government. He emphasized he has no concerns. 

Pita stated that the party has a roadmap with clear objectives, leaving no room for an unpredictable scenario, as everything has been planned. 

Pita Limjaroenrat

He revealed that another 2 parties are waiting to join the coalition government. Both their policies and stances will first be reviewed to determine whether they can collaborate. 

Cholnan Srikaew, the Pheu Thai leader, responded to an ongoing rumour that Pheu Thai will compete against the MFP and form its own government by affirming that Pheu Thai supports Pita as the new PM. 

“On behalf of Pheu Thai, I affirm that I will make this mission successful. We will push to get 376 votes. All sides must help. This is not the responsibility of the core parties alone,” said Cholnan.

Thai Sang Thai leader Sudarat Keyuraphan said the party has a policy regarding the amendment of Section 112. She concurred with using Section 112 to protect the monarchy, but it should not be used as a tool to intimidate others. She emphasized that each party has different details in their policies and that communication is needed.