REUTERS, Bangkok

Thailand’s populist Pheu Thai party yesterday announced that it was forming an alliance with the Bhumjaithai party and was open to other parties joining in to form a government nearly 3 months after polls.

Pheu Thai, led by Shinawatra family, won the second-largest share of votes in the May election and last week stepped up to try and form a government after winner Move Forward’s attempts were blocked twice in parliament.

“Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai party will form the government with the support of other parties,” said Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew, adding that Srettha Thavisin remained the party’s candidate for prime minister.

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy has been beset by political uncertainty since opposition parties rode a wave of anti-establishment support to crush incumbent military-backed rulers at the polls in May.