Pheu Thai say they're not out of the race yet

Leaders of the party - including Yaowapa Wongsawat, wife of former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and Yingluck Shinawatra, a sister of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra - met at the party headquarters on Rama 4 road to discuss forming a government.

Former People Power Party Ubon Ratchathani MP Chuwit Pitakpornpallop said villagers in the Northeast had criticised some MPs in the Friends of Newin group who had decided to back the Democrat Party. And, he said, other MPs who did not publicly show support for the Democrats for fear of public opposition are accused of lying to villagers that they had not defected from the government.

"If the villagers find out[about this], these MPs will not be able to visit their constituents. Some villagers have thrown excrement into these MPs' homes. Next week they will face more opposition,'' he said.

Former People Power Party party-list MP Thavon Triratnarong dismissed Democrat claims they had 240 MPs backing the party saying, "the dust is yet to settle and every thing will be clear on the day the House elects a PM."

Chalerm Yoobamrung announced that nine members of the Friends of Newin group are sticking with the Pheu Thai Party and seven others, whom he refused to identify, would also throw in their support for the party. He said it now has 220 MPs under its wing and more would be joining.

Chalerm said the MPs attracted by the Democrats would come back to Phue Thai soon. Asked if he was confident the party would have the majority votes, he replied "Wait and see the day MPs vote to elect a PM.''

Pheu Thai Party leader Yongyuth Wichaidit and other party leaders visited Pracharat Party leader Snoh Thienthong at his residence in Muang Thong Thani in a move to ensure Snoh would not change his mind and back the Democrats.

A source said the Pheu Thai Party offered the PM post to Snoh in return for his party support. The Pheu Thai Party had earlier allowed smaller parties to nominate their party leaders as PM, and the Pheu Thai Party would not nominate anyone.