Pro-Thaksin party says it can form Thai government

The PPP was the big winner in the 23 December elections, receiving 233 of the 480 seats in parliament, eight short of a majority. Two other parties have expressed a willingness to join the coalition, but they say the PPP must agree not to get involved in the legal case against Mr Thaksin.

The former prime minister, who was ousted in a coup in September 2006, is living in exile in Great Britain. Mr Thaksin says he plans to return to Thailand in February, but does not plan to get involved in politics.

By Copyright Radio Netherlands 2007