Thailand set for early elections amid political deadlock and Cambodia skirmishes | Thailand
Thailand’s prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, announced Thursday that he was “giving power back to the people” by moving to dissolve parliament and pave the way for elections earlier than previously anticipated.
Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat said the move followed a dispute with the opposition People’s Party, the largest group in parliament. “This happened because we couldn’t move forward in parliament,” he told Reuters.
Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn later approved the decree, paving the way for early elections, which by law must be held within 45 to 60 days, the Official Royal Gazette announced on Friday.
The political turmoil coincides with the fourth day of violent border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia in which at least 20 people have been killed and nearly 200 injured.
Anutin told reporters on Wednesday that the dissolution of parliament would not affect Thailand’s military operations on the border, where clashes have occurred in more than a dozen areas, some involving heavy artillery.
“I’m returning power to the people,” Anutin said on social media late Thursday.
He is Thailand’s third prime minister since August 2023, and political instability is hurting Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, which is grappling with U.S. tariffs, high household debt and weak consumption.
In September, Anutin said he had planned to dissolve parliament by the end of January and hold a general election in March or early April, but this move would accelerate that timeline.
Anutin came to power after withdrawing the Bhumjaithai party from the ruling coalition and gaining the support of the People’s Party. The party has put forward a number of demands, including a constitutional amendment referendum, as part of a deal to support it.
“When the people’s party did not get what it wanted, they said they would submit a motion of no-confidence and asked the Prime Minister to dissolve parliament immediately,” Siripong said.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, told reporters late on Thursday that the Bhumjaithai party had not complied with the terms of the agreement. “We tried to use the voice of the opposition to advance constitutional change,” he said.
