Footage shows the recent winner of general elections in Thailand unveiling a Memorandum of Understanding with coalition partners on Monday afternoon as the country's military plotted how to retain control.

The progressive Move Forward Party won the national poll on May 14 with a promise to reform the benighted Lese Majeste laws - sparking panic among establishment figures who vowed to protect the order 'at all costs' by blocking the group's path to power.

Leader Pita Limjaroenrat has watered down planned reforms but still faces an uphill struggle against an electoral system rigged by the army to make it almost impossible for a new party to form a government.

Move Foward and eight coalition parties unveiled their MoU at the Conrad Bangkok Hotel on May 22. The parties included Pheu Thai, Prachachart, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai, and Peu Thai Rumphlang.

This memorandum will now serve as a written agreement outlining their shared principles and guidelines for cooperation and collaboration within the coalition.

The decision to announce the MoU on May 22 coincided with the 9th anniversary of the 2014 Thai army coup, which saw General Prayut Chan-o-cha overthrow Yingluck Shinawatra's government.

The emergent political force led by Pita Limjaroenrat won the most seats in a national poll on May 15 with a pledge to reform the law criminalizing criticism of the Thai royal family. They have formed a coalition with exiled former Man City owner Thaksin Shinawatra and his group Pheu Thai, which is against reforms.

A junta cabal of 250 military-appointed unelected senators will now cast the deciding votes on which party can govern - rendering any elections almost pointless.

The ultra-conservative senators - branded 'dinosaurs' by critics - have pledged their loyalty to protecting the monarchy and vowed to reject the Move Forward party due to its stance on modernising the state and watering down the Lese Majeste law.