Protesters in gathered in front of the Thai Parliament on Tuesday evening urging military-appointed senators to support the formation of a new coalition government.

The demonstrators were led by the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration (UFTD) as they rallied in Bangkok on May 23, calling on unelected military senators - who wield the deciding votes in the quasi-democratic election - to heed 'the people's true intentions'.

In a statement, the UFTD said: 'No matter how much this election has demonstrated the people's true intention, some senators have shown disagreement with the democratic principle. They stand ready to vote against the wish of the elected representatives of the people and to obstruct any change which may occur.

'The people's victory must not be ruined by the senators.'

The progressive Move Forward Party 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.