Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) is working to form a coalition government as 11 small parties have announced they are backing a PPRP-led alliance.
"We are doing it," he said when asked about the progress being made in forming a new government under the PPRP's leadership.
Quizzed on whether he had a hand in selecting cabinet members, he answered: "We are looking into that."
The PPRP-led alliance got a boost yesterday after 11 parties that gained one MP each from the March 24 election vowed to support Gen Prayut's return as premier at a news conference.
The parties are Thai Citizen Power, Palang Chart Thai, Pracha Piwat, Thai Civilized, Phalang Thai Rak Thai, Thai Teachers for People, Prachatham Thai, New Democracy, New Palang Dharma, Thai Rak Tham and Pracha Niyom.
Thai Citizen Power leader Samphan Lertnuwat said 11 MPs from the parties would vote for Gen Prayut as prime minister at a parliamentary meeting. The group supports the PPRP to be a core party in the formation of a new government.
"If the new government performs well, we must lend it our support. But if any ministries do something unscrupulous, all eleven of us are ready to oppose it," said Mr Samphan.
With the support of the 11 small parties, the alliance has now gathered together 135 of 498 MPs.
The Pheu Thai-led camp of seven parties has garnered 245 MPs.
Now eyes are being pinned on Bhumjaithai, which gained 51 MPs, and the Democrat Party, which has 52, to see who they will choose to align with.
The idea of setting up a "third'' alliance is also gathering steam, with Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul touted as a surprise contender to potentially become prime minister.
The move is seen as a bid to draw Bhumjaithai away from the PPRP camp.
Mr Anutin said the party's MPs would descend on their constituencies to thank voters and gauge their opinions.
They will have about a week before the MPs convene on Monday, he said as he turned up at the Election Commission (EC) to receive some paperwork.
Mr Anutin stressed that he had not talked with the two major parties, or the Future Forward Party (FFP), which has 80 MP seats, about forming a new government.
"Based on political etiquette, the No.1 party will get a shot first. If it fails, the second- and third-ranked parties will have their chance," he said.
He dismissed rumours that Newin Chidchob, a veteran Buri Ram politician-turned-sports impresario and co-founder of Bhumjaithai, was involved in the negotiations for ministerial quotas.
"As the election took place two months ago, a new government should be formed quickly, and this is what Bhumjaithai wants to see," said Mr Anutin.
Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai swatted away rumours that MPs from his party had met PPRP representatives over lunch. He insisted the Pheu Thai-led coalition of seven parties remains solid.
Mr Phumtham also warned his party's MPs to think twice about defecting. "Anyone who betrays voters may find this election was their last chance," he said.
He did not comment on reports that Pheu Thai would give the prime ministerial post to either Bhumjaithai or the Democrats.
He said the party's chief goal is stopping Gen Prayut from returning as premier.
PPRP leader Uttama Savanayana thanked the 11 small parties yesterday for expressing interest in working with his camp, calling them "work partners [who] can advise us or criticise us."
No conditions have been set about cabinet posts, he said, adding: "We are in talks about how to best serve the country."
FFP leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit said his party was ready to work with any party that does not support the current regime.
"We are convinced we can stop the National Council for Peace and Order's [NCPO's] prolonging of power, regardless of whether we are part of the government or opposition," he said.
Ruangkrai Leekitwattana, formerly of the Thai Raksa Chart Party, lodged a petition with the Administrative Court yesterday against the EC's endorsement of 149 party-list MPs.
