Thailand's Parliament Dissolved Ahead of General Election Amid Political Turmoil
Thailand's parliament has been officially dissolved, with a general election mandated to take place within 45 to 60 days as per a royal decree endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the minority Bhumjaithai Party government and Thailand's third prime minister since August 2023, stated that the dissolution returns political power to the people. Anutin advanced the election date to avert an impending no-confidence vote against his government.
The decision comes amid ongoing challenges including renewed border clashes with Cambodia that resulted in at least 20 deaths, as well as severe flooding in southern Thailand causing approximately 176 fatalities and displacing hundreds of thousands.
The opposition People's Party withdrew its support for the government, calling for constitutional reforms and the dissolution of parliament within four months, and had planned a no-confidence motion.
Notably, two former prime ministers, Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Srettha Thavisin, were dismissed by the courts in the past year due to ethical violations.
