Former ruling coalition parties back Democrat leader as new Thai PM

Ex-Chart Thai chief adviser Sanan Kajornprasart (4th, L), Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Chettha Thanajaro (5th, L) and other representatives from four former coalition parties attend a press conference at Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Dec. 9, 2008. Four former coalition parties, including Chart Thai, Puea Pandin, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Matchimathipataya, announced on Tuesday that they will back the Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to form a new government.(Xinhua/Niu Xiaolei)

Ex-Chart Thai chief adviser Sanan Kajornprasart speaks at a press conference at Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok, capital of Thailand, Dec. 9, 2008. (Xinhua/Niu Xiaolei)

BANGKOK, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Four former coalition parties, including Chart Thai, Puea Pandin, Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Matchimathipataya, announced on Tuesday that they will back the Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to set up a new government.

Core members of the four parties, led by ex-Chart Thai chief adviser Sanan Kajornprasart, held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at Bangkok's Four Seasons Hotel.

Sanan said they will support Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to be the next prime minister.

Currently, the Democrat-led coalition appears to have a total of 242 MPs, including some former government MPs, but there is no certainty they will get that many votes when Parliament reconvenes to choose the next PM.

After three former ruling parties were ordered to be dissolved by a court verdict last week, the Parliament of Thailand has to choose another premier during a special Lower House session. However, the Puea Thai Party, which is the Democrat's main opponent, also has some 240 MPs to counter the Democrats.