Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced his intention to "return power to the people" on the evening of 11/12, aiming to dissolve parliament and pave the way for an earlier-than-expected general election. Mr. Anutin affirmed that the dissolution of parliament would not affect Thailand's military operations at the border.

The Royal Thai Gazette later announced that King Maha Vajiralongkorn had approved the decree dissolving parliament. Thai law mandates that a general election must be held within 45 to 60 days from the date the decree takes effect.

The decision stemmed from disagreements between Mr. Anutin's government and the majority bloc led by the opposition People's Party, according to government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat. This ongoing conflict made it impossible for the government to continue governing the country.

'It is impossible to continue working in parliament. When the People's Party does not achieve what it wants, they announce they will demand a no-confidence vote and ask the prime minister to immediately dissolve parliament', Mr. Angkasakulkiat said.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in Bangkok on 7/10. Photo: Reuters

This political move follows a tense joint session of the Thai parliament concerning a draft constitutional amendment, specifically regarding the voting threshold clause. A proposal from the drafting committee, which stipulated a voting threshold of over 50% of total votes in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, was rejected. Parliament subsequently reinstated the rule that constitutional amendments require the support of at least one-third of senators.

Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut criticized Mr. Anutin's ruling Bhumjaithai party for "not respecting the political agreement between the two sides."

Prime Minister Anutin is the third person to hold this position since 8/2023, amid ongoing political instability pressuring Thailand's political landscape. In September, he also expressed his intention to dissolve parliament early next year and hold elections in 3-4/2026.

By Thanh Danh

(Reuters, Nation, AFP)