The speaker of Thailand's parliament has announced that the next round of voting to choose the nation's new prime minister has been postponed. The move is likely to prolong the country's political deadlock. It comes after the opposition's stunning victory in May's general election.

The parliamentary vote was scheduled to be held on Thursday. The speaker cited the submission of a petition seeking a review of Pita Limjaroenrat's rejection from the poll, as a reason for the decision. Pita is the leader of the Move Forward Party.

He tried to participate in last week's second-round vote. But conservative lawmakers blocked him by passing a motion. They claimed Pita's re-nomination would breach a parliamentary regulation.
The petition argues the motion violates the constitution. The next vote will take place after the Constitutional Court makes a ruling on the petition.

Meanwhile, the daughter of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has revealed her father will be back in Thailand next month. Paetongtarn Shinawatra made the announcement in an Instagram post.

The former leader was deposed in a military coup in 2006. He was charged with abusing his power. Thaksin fled the country to avoid going to jail.

Paetongtarn is a key figure in the opposition Pheu Thai Party. The party came in second in the general election.

An alliance of eight opposition parties is currently trying to form a coalition government. They decided last week to choose a prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai Party for the next round.
The Pheu Thai Party is affiliated with Thaksin. His return may have an influence on the effort to create the next administration.