Leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit has said his Future Forward Party will be the core to form the next government with him as PM if he succeeds, minutes after the Election Commission asked the Constitutional Court to disqualify him as an MP.

“We believe only Future Forward could heal wounds and conflicts and bring parties together to share a common stance and ideology,” Mr Thanathorn said in a statement on his party’s Facebook.

“This means sending soldiers back to the barracks and amending the constitution to pave the way for a democratic election. Only we can fulfil this mission.”

While the statement does not name any other party, it is common knowledge there is no love lost between the Democrat and Pheu Thai parties, given the deep-rooted animosity supporters of the two parties felt for each other over the past 20 years of polarising conflicts.

“Under the prevailing uncertainty, the one who benefits the most is Palang Pracharath. To dispel such uncertainty and desperation, we’ll be the core leader of the government. And if FFP can secure enough votes to form it, Thanathorn will be the prime minister to stop the continuation of power by the NCPO."

Half an hour earlier, the Election Commission issued a statement it had asked the Constitutional Court to disqualify Mr Thanathorn for owning shares in media companies when he applied as MP, a prohibition by law.

Mr Thanathorn’s argument was that the EC’s no longer had the power to seek his disqualification because by law it can deal with the issue of qualifications only after the application and before the poll, not after it, and that window had passed.