Political leaders in Thailand are changing course in their attempt to form a ruling coalition. They've agreed to pick a new prime ministerial nominee after conservatives blocked a reformist from taking power.

The eight-party alliance will choose somebody from the second-largest Pheu Thai Party instead of the Move Forward party, which won a general election in May.

Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat failed to get parliament's backing in a vote on Wednesday.

Conservative lawmakers resisted his policies, including a plan to amend the country's royal defamation law.

The Pheu Thai Party is affiliated with ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The next parliamentary vote will take place as early as July 27.

All eyes are on whether the new nominee can secure the necessary backing of conservatives in both the upper and lower houses.