Pheu Thai party secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong said today that acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai "has submitted a decree" to the royal palace seeking the dissolution of the House of Representatives to pave the way for a snap election.

Just minutes earlier, the Move Forward Party, Thailand's largest opposition party, announced it would back billionaire Anutin Charnvirakul, a rival candidate, to become the next prime minister. According to Move Forward leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the party's 143 MPs could help Anutin secure a majority in the parliamentary vote.

However, Natthaphong stipulated that parliament must be dissolved and a new election held within 4 months to "return power to the people as soon as possible" in exchange for the party's support.

The Move Forward Party currently controls nearly one-third of the seats in the lower house. Pheu Thai needs Move Forward's support if it wants its candidate to become prime minister.

Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai speaks to the media in Bangkok on 3/7. Photo: AFP

Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai speaks to the media in Bangkok on 3/7. Photo: AFP

Natthaphong said the party is backing Anutin, the Bhumjaithai Party's candidate, to prevent the return of an incompetent coalition government. He added that Move Forward would not participate in the new government. According to Natthaphong, parliament could vote for the new prime minister on 5/9.

Some Thai legal experts have questioned the caretaker government's move, as typically only a sitting prime minister can request the dissolution of parliament.

Anutin, 58, has previously served as deputy prime minister, interior minister, and health minister. His Bhumjaithai Party was a key supporter in the coalition of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. However, the party withdrew its support after Paetongtarn's controversial call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen.

Paetongtarn was disqualified by the Constitutional Court on 29/8 for violating public ethics rules during the call with Hun Sen. She is the fifth Thai prime minister to be removed by the Constitutional Court in 17 years.

A prime ministerial candidate needs the support of at least 50 MPs to be included in the parliamentary vote. To become prime minister, a candidate needs a majority, which is more than 247 votes, out of the 492 MPs in the lower house.

If a candidate fails to secure a majority, the House of Representatives will continue to meet and repeat the process until a new prime minister is elected. There is no time limit on this process.

Huyen Le (AFP, Reuters)