Progressive Thai party that won May election is excluded from coalition to form the next government

The progressive political party that won the most seats in Thailand’s general election has been excluded from a coalition to form the next government. Conservative lawmakers strongly oppose the party over its proposed reform of a law banning criticism of the country’s monarchy. Thailand has struggled for nearly three months to form a government and select a new leader since its election in May. Move Forward Party, the surprise winner, pulled together an eight-party coalition with a majority of lower house lawmakers. But the leader of Pheu Thai, the second-biggest party in the coalition, said Wednesday that other parties and the military-appointed Senate could not accept Move Forward’s proposal to amend the monarchy law. Pheu Thai said it will form its own coalition.