It appears that Thailand may, finally, have its 30th prime minister after the joint sitting of the House and Senate tomorrow -- after a general election that took place three months ago on May 14 -- if everything goes smoothly. That is what many people, the private sector in particular, are expecting. But uncertainty still prevails.
The Pheu Thai Party has cobbled up together 10 parties, including the latest newcomer, the conservative United Thai Nation (UTN), with 274 combined votes plus 40 additional votes from the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) as promised by PPRP's MP Pai Leeke, who has vowed to give "unconditional votes" for Pheu Thai's prime ministerial candidate, Srettha Thavisin, although the party has not yet been invited to join the coalition.
Supporters of the Pheu Thai Party may feel betrayed that the party is now embracing the two junta-linked parties, namely UTN and PPRP, in which it had previously professed an aversion, denounced as "tyrants" and pledged not to engage with during the election campaign.
Alas, voters should know better -- that flip-flopping or breaking promises is an integral part of the Thai political game.
Nothing can be done now to reverse the tide. What voters can do is wait four years for when the next election comes and teach the party a lesson. It is truly hoped that voters will not have that short a memory.
Altogether, the 11-party coalition led by Pheu Thai will have 315 votes -- more than enough to form a majority government -- but this is still 61 votes short of the 376 votes minimum required to push forward Mr Srettha to become the next prime minister. Hence, senators remain the decisive factor to determine Mr Srettha's fate tomorrow.
The coalition is touted by Pheu Thai as a government of unity or a "government of depolarisation" as it puts together parties from the two opposing camps, defined in colours as red and yellow. Such a boast is rather outdated as the red and yellow factions were disbanded a long time ago.
The political divide now appears to be found between the new radicals represented by the Move Forward Party (MFP), who are bent on radical changes and structural reform, and the Old Guards, who are determined to maintain the status quo and are represented by many of the other parties. This line of separation will become clearer in the next election.
The Senate is divided into groups and individuals. Some are loyal to Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon, PPRP's leader, and others to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Hence, how they will vote is anybody's guess as most have been silent, except for a handful of talkative senators such as Somchai Sawaengkan and Wanchai Sornsiri.
Sen Somchai, for instance, said on Friday there are still a few issues that Pheu Thai must clear up before the senators vote tomorrow.
He cited the constitution issue, asking whether the party wants to write a new charter or just wants to amend some sections concerning independent organisations, national security or the monarchy.
To gain support from the senators, Pheu Thai must clear up these issues before the vote otherwise Mr Srettha will be fiercely grilled during the debate by senators as well as the Move Forward MPs.
Then there is a sticky issue that Pheu Thai may have to settle with its key coalition partners before the prime minister's selection, concerning the sharing of the cabinet cake.
Both the Bhumjaithai and Chartthaipattana party leaders, respectively Anutin Charnvirakul and Varawut Silpa-archa, are demanding the cake is divided first before they vote.
Both said their parties should get the cabinet portfolios they are currently holding such as the Public Health and Transport ministries for Bhumjaithai party and the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry for the Chartthaipattana Party.
Some equate giving votes to Pheu Thai without being assured on what and how many cabinet seats they will get amounts to their writing it a blank cheque.
The Pheu Thai Party appears reluctant to submit to this demand, insisting they should vote first before negotiating their share of the cabinet seats. Earlier, the party said it wants to control all the economic-related seats, or the Grade A posts.
This party cannot afford to procrastinate on this issue without the risk of uncertainty about whether the MPs of its partner parties will vote for its candidate or not.
The issue will heat up as voting day approaches and Pheu Thai may have to soften its stand and start talking so its partners can feel relieved that they won't be double-crossed as was the case with MFP.
Pheu Thai cannot go alone without Bhumjaithai, the second largest party in the coalition. As a matter of fact, both sides need each other if a government is to be formed.
Going back to the MFP is out of the question as it will end up in a dead-end as Move Forward is regarded as some sort of a pariah that most senators and many parties want nothing to do with.
The path towards the top job for Mr Srettha is not smooth, although apparently not as hopeless as that encountered by Mr Pita Limjaroenrat.
He is expected to be vigorously grilled by senators regarding his past business record and qualifications which are currently being exposed by self-made graft buster Chuvit Kamolvisit, who has made allegations which are yet to be verified.
How this prime minister's selection circus will play out is anybody's guess. But it is worth a close watch and don't blink your eyes, especially with the sudden emergence of a new factor, by coincidence or by design.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, another Pheu Thai Party PM candidate and Thaksin Shinawatra's youngest's daughter, wrote on social media that her father will return to Thailand at Don Mueang Airport tomorrow at 9am.
He has asked his supporters to show up.
It is not the first time -- probably well over the 20th, in fact -- that Thaksin or a member of his family has talked about his return to Thailand.
It will be his first time home in 15 years. But no one dares to bet on Thaksin, as his idealistic red-shirt supporters learned recently.
Thaksin's return will be the biggest bombshell in Thai politics. So, do not blink your eyes tomorrow.