Move Forward Party (MFP)

The marriage of convenience between Pheu Thai and the United Thai Nation Party reflects the stunning political realignment that has occurred since May's general election.

Despite the PM vote setback, the success of the Move Forward Party during the election has created a new dynamic in Thai politics – one that is likely to persist.

The court's decision has paved the way for Parliament to convene on August 22 to select a prime minister.

The decision will make the party more reliant on the support of the military-backed parties whose dominance it has long opposed.

Despite the new recruits, the party faces some difficult choices in reaching the majority that it needs in the House of Representatives.

The pact between the two parties, which came in second and third in May's general election, could spell an end to Thailand's protracted post-election deadlock.

The vote has been postponed until after the Constitutional Court rules on an appeal by the Move Forward Party against lawmakers’ decision to block its leader from being renominated as prime minister.

The split has had an air of inevitability, given the conservative opposition to the MFP's progressive policy agenda.

There are several reasons to think that the fugitive former PM might actually be becoming home.

The two houses of Parliament were due to convene on July 27, but will now await a Constitutional Court ruling questioning the blocked renomination of MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat.

Formerly a bastion of conservative Thai politics, the rudderless party has been excluded from talks aimed at forming the next government.

The 1,000-strong demonstration at the capital's busy Asok intersection could be a harbinger of further unrest to come.