Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has moved to dissolve parliament, a decision announced by the Pheu Thai party on Tuesday, potentially paving the way for fresh elections before the end of 2025. The move follows the opposition People’s Party’s decision to back conservative tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul as a rival candidate for prime minister, deepening the country’s political crisis.
The dissolution comes days after the Constitutional Court ousted Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Friday for an ethics violation, creating a leadership vacuum. Pheu Thai, which continues to govern in a caretaker capacity, had sought support from the People’s Party to endorse its new candidate for prime minister. However, the opposition bloc, holding 143 parliamentary seats, instead threw its weight behind Anutin, prompting Pheu Thai’s secretary-general, Sorawong Thienthong, to confirm the submission of a house dissolution decree.
The Thai constitution stipulates that, upon royal approval of the dissolution, elections must occur within 45 to 60 days. Political scientist Titipol Phakdeewanich from Ubon Ratchathani University told AFP, “An election might be the best solution, as forming a stable government is now nearly impossible.”
The People’s Party conditioned its support for Anutin on parliament’s dissolution within four months, suggesting his potential premiership would also lead to early elections, albeit on a delayed timeline. The legality of a caretaker government dissolving parliament remains contentious, adding uncertainty to the process.
Anutin, heir to a construction fortune and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, previously served as deputy prime minister, interior minister, and health minister, notably overseeing cannabis legalization in 2022. His handling of Thailand’s COVID-19 response drew criticism after he accused Westerners of spreading the virus, later issuing an apology. Anutin emphasized the urgency of forming a government, stating, “It is the duty of MPs to resolve the crises.”
Pheu Thai, the electoral vehicle of the Shinawatra dynasty, has long competed with Thailand’s pro-monarchy and pro-military elite. Analysts note a decline in its influence, with the dissolution move signaling weakened momentum. Bhumjaithai, once a key coalition partner, withdrew support from Paetongtarn this summer over a border dispute with Cambodia, which also led to her ousting.
Thailand’s 2023 election left only five eligible prime ministerial candidates due to ongoing political turmoil. The People’s Party, successor to the dissolved Move Forward Party, which won the most seats in 2023 by campaigning to curb military influence and reform lese-majeste laws, could revive these issues in a new election. The Move Forward Party’s dissolution followed its push to relax royal defamation laws.
Public sentiment reflects frustration with the ongoing power struggles. “It’s always the same power struggles, while our lives remain unchanged,” said Kanjana Sangkasupan, a 23-year-old Bangkok hairdresser. Conversely, 34-year-old Itthirat Sutannachana expressed openness to supporting the People’s Party, stating, “I’ll give them a chance as a new face to see if they can do anything differently.”
With the prospect of elections looming, Thailand faces a critical juncture in resolving its leadership crisis and addressing calls for political reform.
