The Bhumjaithai Party has decided to hold talks with other parties which remain undecided over which camp to back in forming a coalition government while insisting the party is not attempting to set up a third alliance.
The decision follows a two-day seminar for its 51 MPs in Buri Ram which ended on Monday amid speculation the party would announce whether or not to join the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) alliance.
Speculation was rife last week that the pro-regime PPRP had struck deals with the Bhumjaithai and Democrat parties, which would likely involve key cabinet posts.
Saksayam Chidchob, the party's secretary-general, said on Monday things should become clearer in the next few days.
There are three other parties which have yet to announce their stance: the Democrat Party with 52 House seats, the Chartthaipattana Party with 10 seats, and the Chartpattana Party with three seats.
Mr Saksayam said Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul will reach out to those parties.
"There will be no bargaining or handshaking. This is not setting up a third alliance either.
"The party leader will start making phone calls to get clarity. We're not a core party. We're just a coordinator," said Mr Saksayam.
Earlier in the day, Mr Anutin said his party was in no rush to pick sides. However, he said it would not be part of a minority government and any coalition partner must accept the party's policy on cannabis.
On the Democrat front, the party executives held their first meeting on Monday since Jurin Laksanavisit was elected the new party leader along with a new board of executives last week, following the resignation of Abhisit Vejjajiva after the March 24 poll disaster.
However, the Democrat leader noted that he could not say if the party's decision as to whether to join a coalition government would be known before Saturday when the House speaker will be selected.
The Chartthaipattana Party will hold a meeting between its leader and MPs on Friday, after the official opening of parliament, according to its leader Kanchana Silpa-archa who refused to comment on where the party stands on the coalition front.
The Bhumjaithai's move came as the Pheu Thai Party, which won 136 House seats, on Monday posted a statement on Facebook saying it would not insist on any of its three prime ministerial candidates taking the top job as it called on parties to join hands to defeat a "dictatorship in disguise".
It was apparently referring to the prime ministerial vote in which the regime-appointed Senate will join MPs in selecting the prime minister.
Last week Future Forward Party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit announced the party would take the lead role in forming a coalition government and was ready to be prime minister to prevent the regime from returning to power.
Pheu Thai secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday urged the senators to respect the people's will.
"The election result is clear that the people chose the 'pro-democracy' side. If the Senate announces it will heed the people's choice, I believe the problem will be resolved," he said.