Lawmakers gather at the Parliament in Bangkok, Thailand, July 19, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

BANGKOK - Thailand's Pheu Thai party announced on Wednesday it had the support of six more parties in its attempt to form a government, still short of the required backing, as the country remained in political deadlock nearly three months after an election.

Thailand has been under a caretaker government for 142 days and faces prolonged uncertainty after election winners Move Forward failed to form a government.

Pheu Thai, founded by the billionaire Shinawatra family, has support of seven other parties, but it is unclear whether it can win over the upper house Senate

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Second-place Pheu Thai, a political heavyweight that was driven from power in coups in 2006 and 2014, withdrew its backing for Move Forward last week but faces an uphill battle to win support from a parliament.

"Pheu Thai hopes to ease political factionalization and gain support from all members of parliament, political parties and senators," Pheu Thai leader Chonlanan Srikaew told a news conference after the party won support from third-place Bhumjaithai.

Pheu Thai, founded by the billionaire Shinawatra family, has support of seven other parties, but it is unclear whether it can win over the upper house Senate.

Under the constitution, members of both houses vote to decide who forms a government, which requires the support of more than half of all lawmakers.

Despite Pheu Thai abandoning Move Forward, it said it still hoped to win the backing of its 150 lawmakers in a prime ministerial vote expected later this month.

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"We will hold discussions with Move Forward," Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said.