Thailand's election-winning party has been dropped from a coalition that was supposed to form the next government. The second-largest Pheu Thai Party has announced it will seek a coalition without the Move Forward Party, which emerged as the winner in the May general election.

This decision means the pro-democracy alliance the two formed with six other parties has collapsed.

Pheu Thai leader Cholnan Srikaew made the announcement after meeting with Move Forward representatives on Wednesday. He said his party cannot agree with amending lese majeste law that Move Forward is pushing for. The law criminalizes criticism of Thailand's royal family.

Move Forward's leader was initially the alliance's candidate for prime minister. But Pita Limjaroenrat failed to gain enough support from the parliament.

Conservative lawmakers then blocked him from standing for the post in a second vote. Move Forward said it will let Pheu Thai take the lead in coalition talks.

Pheu Thai has since had meetings with the current ruling parties, including pro-military ones. They said they oppose any government framework that includes Move Forward.

The parliamentary vote for prime minister is scheduled for Friday. Pheu Thai says it will nominate real-estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin as its candidate.

Move Forward's supporters gathered outside Pheu Thai's headquarters on Wednesday. One supporter said, "I don't need a government from the coup d'etat. It's very wrong. It's Thai politics."

They said the latest development flies in the face of the election result and public opinion.