BANGKOK - Thailand's governing alliance agreed on Thursday to back 37-year-old Paetongtarn Shinawatra as its candidate for prime minister, a day ahead of a pivotal vote in parliament.

The deal follows a flurry of behind-the-scenes talks in the 24 hours since a court dismissed Srettha Thavisin as premier, as his Pheu Thai Party rushed to secure backing from its 11-party alliance in a bid to form the next government.

Paetongtarn is the daughter of political heavyweight Thaksin Shinawatra and a niece of Yingluck Shinawatra, both former premiers.

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The country's Constitutional Court dismissed Srettha on Wednesday for giving a cabinet post to a former lawyer who was briefly imprisoned for contempt of court in 2008.

If successful in Friday's vote, Paetongtarn would be Thailand's second female prime minister and the third Shinawatra to hold the top post.

"We were confident that under her leadership, we will all support her and be ready to carry out her policies from the day she assumes office," Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, told a press conference to announce Paetongtarn as candidate.

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The 11-party alliance holds 314 seats in the house, of which 141 belong to Pheu Thai, and should have no difficulty electing a prime minister on Friday, providing it remains intact.

To become premier a candidate needs the approval of more than half of the current 493 lawmakers.