Political parties want the Senate excluded from joining in a prime minister vote if they can rustle up more than 250 MPs to form a coalition government, according to a forum conducted on Monday. There will be 500 elected MPs and 250 senators, 50 of whom are elected in a cross-professional and social group vote. The charter stipulates the Senate can step in and join MPs in voting for an outsider to become prime minister. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, of Chartthaipattana, said his party would refuse to vote alongside the Senate for an outsider prime minister. Jatuporn Prompan said parties should cooperate to form a government without the need for Senate help to find a prime minister.

Source: Bangkok Post September 10, 2018 23:03 UTC