Supporters of the Move Forward Party hold a portrait of Pita Limjaroenrat, the leader of Move Forward Party, during a protest in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 29, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

BANGKOK - Thailand's election-winning Move Forward Party has been excluded from a coalition of parties hoping to form the next government after a May general election, parties in the alliance said on Wednesday.

The Southeast Asian country has been in political limbo since the poll, in which the Move Forward emerged as the largest party, closely followed by the Pheu Thai party.

Pheu Thai, the latest incarnation of a party founded by former telecoms tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, said it would nominate a businessman, Srettha Thavisin, in a parliamentary vote for prime minister, due on Friday, and it aimed to form a government without Move Forward.

"Pheu Thai, in consultation with Move Forward, will withdraw from cooperation and will move ahead with government formation and nominating Srettha Thavisin for prime minister," the Pheu Thai party said.

Pheu Thai, the latest incarnation of a party founded by former telecoms tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, said it would nominate a businessman, Srettha Thavisin, in a parliamentary vote for prime minister, due on Friday, and it aimed to form a government without Move Forward

A Move Forward spokesperson said the party would comment after its lawmakers met later on Wednesday.

Move Forward took the lead in efforts to form the next government after the May 14 election. But twice its attempt to get its leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, voted in as prime minister by parliament were blocked by opponents and the upper house Senate.

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Opposition to Move Forward stemmed from its progressive agenda, in particular a promise to amend a law, known as article 112, that punishes insulting the monarchy with prison of up to 15 years.

Pheu Thai deputy leader Phumtham Wechayachai said a government led by his party would not support amending article 112 but would focus on solving economic and political problems.

Move Forward rose to prominence with the backing of many younger voters who protested for months against the government in 2020.

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On Wednesday, several hundred supporters of Move Forward assembled in Bangkok in cars and on motorbikes for a noisy show of opposition to the party's exclusion from efforts to form the next government.

The combined two houses of parliament are due to vote for a new prime minister on Friday.