Bangkok: Thailand has dissolved its parliament after nearly a week of renewed clashes along its border with Cambodia, triggering an early general election expected within 45 to 60 days. The move marks the latest upheaval in a year of severe political instability that has already seen two prime ministers removed by the courts.
The dissolution was formalised through a royal decree published on Friday, with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul citing the deadly border conflict and a series of domestic crises that his minority government has struggled to manage since taking office three months ago.
“The appropriate solution is to dissolve parliament… which is a way to return political power to the people,” Anutin said, acknowledging both the growing unrest and mounting political pressure.
Anutin, a business magnate and leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, is Thailand’s third prime minister since August 2023. Although he had previously indicated that parliament would be dissolved by the end of January, he advanced the timeline in the face of an imminent no-confidence vote.
Anutin’s administration has faced sustained criticism over multiple governance issues. His government came under intense scrutiny for its response to catastrophic flooding in southern Thailand last month, which left at least 176 people dead and devastated several provinces.
The renewed border clashes with Cambodia have further exacerbated the crisis. Fighting over the past week has claimed at least 20 lives and displaced hundreds of thousands, heightening national frustration with the government’s handling of security and humanitarian affairs.
In the decree, endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, Anutin stated that despite deploying all available administrative measures, running the country requires stability, something he said his minority government lacked.
The dissolution comes after Anutin lost the support of the youth-driven, progressive People’s Party – the largest party in parliament and one that had initially helped secure his premiership despite big ideological differences.
Their backing, however, was contingent on specific conditions, including constitutional reforms and the dissolution of parliament within four months. The People’s Party has now accused Bhumjaithai of failing to uphold that agreement and has prepared to file a no-confidence motion on Friday.
On Thursday, the party publicly urged Anutin to dissolve parliament to show responsibility towards the people. In a statement on Facebook, it added: “See you at the polling stations. ”Thailand’s political landscape has been in disarray over the past year, with two prime ministers dismissed by the courts for ethical violations.
Anutin’s immediate predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed after a leaked phone call revealed her referring to former Cambodian leader Hun Sen as “uncle” and criticising the Thai military. Before her, Srettha Thavisin was ousted for appointing to his cabinet a former lawyer who had previously served jail time.
