Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Thursday, December 11, that he is “returning power to the people,” moving to dissolve parliament and pave the way for early elections, a dramatic acceleration from previous plans.
Government spokesperson Siripong Angkasakulkiat told Reuters that the decision followed a disagreement with the opposition People’s Party, the largest parliamentary bloc. “This happened because we can’t go forward in parliament,” he said.
The move was formally endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, according to the Royal Gazette on Friday. Under Thai law, elections must now be held within 45 to 60 days.
The political upheaval comes amid a fourth day of intense fighting along the Thailand-Cambodia border, where at least 20 people have been killed and nearly 200 wounded. Clashes have erupted in more than a dozen locations, some involving exchanges of heavy artillery. Anutin assured reporters that dissolving parliament would not affect military operations along the frontier.
“I am returning power to the people,” Anutin wrote on social media late Thursday.
Anutin is Thailand’s third prime minister since August 2023, and political instability is straining Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy, already facing U.S. tariffs, high household debt and weak domestic consumption.
Accelerated Timeline
In September, Anutin had indicated plans to dissolve parliament by the end of January, with elections in March or early April. Thursday’s move accelerates that schedule.
Anutin initially came to power after pulling his Bhumjaithai Party out of the ruling coalition and securing support from the People’s Party. The backing came with demands, including a referendum on constitutional amendments. When the People’s Party failed to get what it wanted, it threatened a no-confidence motion, prompting the Prime Minister to dissolve parliament.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, criticized the government, saying, “We have tried to use the voice of the opposition to push forward amending the constitution.”
The coming weeks are expected to be politically turbulent as Thailand prepares for a snap general election, with the border conflict adding an urgent backdrop of security concerns.
Asia Pacific Newslog 