BANGKOK, May 22 (CNA) - Thailand's Move Forward party and its seven political allies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday (May 22) to affirm a mutual agreement to drive 23 agendas once their coalition government is formed.

The MOU - coming on the heels of Move Forward's unexpected win in the May 14 general election - aims to create a basis for the forming of Thailand’s next government, and to determine the common direction of work among the eight member parties.

“It is a compilation of agendas we mutually agreed upon and are ready to bring forth through the governmental and parliamentary mechanisms,” said Move Forward's leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat.

“It also shows the responsibilities shared by the parties that will form a government together.”

Among the key missions are drafting a new constitution, legalising same-sex marriage, placing cannabis back on the banned narcotics list and replacing compulsory enlistment with voluntary recruitment during peacetime.

“All the parties agreed that every mission the government will bring forth must not affect the status of the state under the constitutional monarchy or the inviolable status of the monarch,” said Mr Pita.

The coalition currently comprises Move Forward, Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Liberal Party, Thai Sang Thai, Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai and Pue Thai Rumphlang.

Together, they have 313 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives.

The signing of the MOU on Monday was a symbolic gesture reminiscent of when a coup d’etat led by incumbent Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha disrupted Thailand’s politics nine years ago.

On May 22, 2014, the then-army chief seized power from Ms Yingluck Shinawatra’s democratically elected government. His junta ruled Thailand for nearly five years before a general election was held in 2019 under a new constitution written by a military-appointed committee.

At the time, the Pheu Thai Party won a majority of seats in the House of Representatives but the pro-junta Palang Pracharat Party managed to form the government with its political allies, resulting in General Prayut’s premiership.

He joined this year's electoral race hoping to stay in power after more than eight years on the job. However, his new party United Thai Nation lost and came fifth.

“Today is a historic day and a good milestone that reflects the success of Thai society in peacefully transitioning back to a democratic system through the parliamentary system,” Mr Pita said on Monday.