Thailand's Pita open to coalition ally leading government if he fails in PM bid

FILE PHOTO: Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Thailand's Move Forward Party who failed to win parliamentary support to become prime minister, reacts at the parliament, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 13, 2023. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of Thailand's election winning Move Forward Party, on Saturday raised the prospect of a political ally leading the new government if he fails to become prime minister.

Pita, 42, whose progressive party scored a surprise victory in the May 14 election, lost an initial vote for the premiership on Thursday, unable to secure enough votes in a joint sitting of the country's 749-member parliament.