Blow to Thailand’s janta appointed Senate, two Oppn parties to form ruling coaltion

Thailand's two main opposition parties, Mover Forward and Pheu Thai, agreed on Monday to form a ruling coalition after they trounced in a weekend election military-backed rivals that have controlled government for nearly a decade. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Though the results appear to be a hammer blow for the military and its allies, with parliamentary rules on their side and some influential power-brokers behind them, they could determine the shape of a new government. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Pita Limjaroenrat, Move Forward's 42-year-old leader proposed an alliance of six parties that would command 309 seats, with him as prime minister. However, that would still be short of the 376 seats needed to ensure he was elected to the top job. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The other major opposition party, Pheu Thai, controlled by the billionaire Shinawatra family said it agreed with Pita's proposal and wished him luck in efforts to become prime minister. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

Asked about the upper house Senate, he said all sides must respect the election outcome and there was no use going against it. "I am not worried but I am not careless," he told a press conference. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

Phue Thai party had won most seats in every election this century, including twice in landslides. (AP Photo/Wason Wanichakorn)

Phue Thai party met its match against Move Forward as it came close to a sweep of the capital Bangkok and made gains in some Pheu Thai and conservative strongholds. (REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha)

Supporters of Move Forward party cheer as they watch counting of votes on television at Move Forward Party headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

Thailand's incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha first came to power in a 2014 coup. (AP Photo/Rapeephat Sitichailapa)