Move Forward Party supporters react after hearing about the suspension of leader and prime minister candidate Pita Limjaroenrat as they gather outside the Thai Parliament in Bangkok on July 19, 2023. (PHOTO / AFP)

BANGKOK - Thailand's election-winning Move Forward party on Friday made way for runner-up and alliance partner Pheu Thai to try to form the next government, after its leader's bid was twice thwarted this month by the Senate.

The progressive Move Forward and populist Pheu Thai have the lion's share of the 500 lower house seats after trouncing conservative rivals in a May 14 election.

But a big obstacle for their alliance is the 249-member Senate.

Pheu Thai, Thailand's most dominant political party in the past two decades, said it would start lobbying lawmakers for their votes and identify what obstacles were ahead

The eight-party alliance backed Move Forward's leader Pita Limjaroenrat for prime minister before conservative opponents and Senators blocked him in a July 13 parliamentary vote and stifled his renomination six days later.

READ MORE: Thailand's Constitutional Court suspends Pita from parliament

Pheu Thai, Thailand's most dominant political party in the past two decades, said it would start lobbying lawmakers for their votes and identify what obstacles were ahead.

"We will find more votes from the Senate and other parties," Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew told a press conference.

"Article 112 was the condition that blocked us, we will need to get more votes."

Hurdles ahead

It is expected Pheu Thai, the political juggernaut of the billionaire Shinawatra family, will nominate 60-year-old real estate mogul and political newcomer Srettha Thavisin for prime minister for the next vote on July 27. Chonlanan said no decision had been made.

The benchmark Thai index and baht were both up slightly in Friday trade, extending gains from Thursday on hopes that a government could be formed soon.

READ MORE: Thailand's MFP party leader Pita denied renomination to be PM

"We have to do everything to get a prime minister by July 27," Pheu Thai's deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said.

Move Forward said its priority was not fighting to save Pita's prime ministerial bid but returning democracy to the country and delivering on the wishes of the people.

"It is clear that conservative forces - from politicians, business monopolies and institutions - they will not let Move Forward become government," party secretary Chaithawat Tulathon told a press conference, announcing its backing for Pheu Thai.

The alliance needs more than half of the bicameral parliament to get behind its next prime ministerial candidate to form a government.