Thailand’s Pheu Thai allies with military rivals to form new government | Politics News

Thailand’s populist Pheu Thai Party has formed a coalition with 10 other parties, including two allied with its former military rivals, in a bid to form a new government and end three months of political deadlock.

The announcement on Monday came a day ahead of a parliamentary vote for a new prime minister and as Pheu Thai founder and former premier, Thaksin Shinawatra, prepares to return to the kingdom after 15 years in self-imposed exile.

Pheu Thai is expected to nominate real estate mogul Srettha Thavisin as the country’s next leader.

The party came second in Thailand’s May 14 election, but took over the formation of government after conservative members of an unelected upper house blocked attempts by Move Forward – the progressive party that won the vote – from securing the top job for their candidate.

Srettha, 60, a political newcomer, will need the support of 375…