Thai PM’s winning party to form coalition with Thaksin-backed Pheu Thai

Thai caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s conservative party, which won a stunning election victory at the weekend, agreed to form a coalition with jailed ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s party, both announced on Friday.Anutin’s pro-military and pro-monarchy party had its best electoral performance ever in polls that took place after two rounds of deadly border clashes with Cambodia last year.Thailand’s most successful party of the 21st century, Pheu Thai had its worst election result ever on Sunday, raising questions about the future of the political machine built by Thaksin.“Although the election results have not yet been officially confirmed, we have a consensus that Pheu Thai will support us in leading the coalition, as planned,” Anutin said at a news conference at his Bhumjaithai Party’s headquarters.Prasert Chanruangthong, secretary general of Thaksin’s Pheu Thai, told reporters the party “is ready to support Bhumjaithai Party in forming the coalition. Other issues will be discussed further”.Thailand’s conservative Bhumjaithai Party poised to win Thai electionsThailand’s conservative Bhumjaithai Party poised to win Thai electionsThe latest incarnation of the organisation founded by the telecom billionaire, Pheu Thai came a distant third in Sunday’s election, its vote share in the party-list section plunging by more than half.