The Thai Prime Minister announced the dissolution of Parliament, paving the way for early elections.

(CLO) Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on December 11th that he would dissolve the Thai Parliament and pave the way for earlier-than-expected elections.

"I am returning power to the people," Anutin declared on social media Thursday evening.

His announcement coincided with a joint session of the Thai Parliament voting on a condition for passing a constitutional amendment bill. Accordingly, the constitutional amendment bill could be passed by a majority vote of the Thai Parliament in the joint session, provided that at least one-third of the senators participate in the vote.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Photo: CC

According to an official announcement in the Royal Gazette on Friday, King Maha Vajiralongkorn of Thailand has approved a decree dissolving Parliament, paving the way for early elections, which by law must be held within 45 to 60 days.

The political unrest coincided with the fourth day of a fierce border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, in which at least 20 people were killed and nearly 200 injured.

Anutin told reporters on Wednesday that dissolving the Thai parliament would not affect the country's military operations along the border, where clashes have occurred at more than a dozen locations, some involving heavy artillery fire.

He is Thailand's third prime minister since August 2023, and political instability is severely impacting Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, which is already struggling with US tariffs, high household debt, and weak consumer spending.

In September, Anutin had stated that he intended to dissolve the Thai Parliament by the end of January 2026 and hold a general election in March or early April, but this move will accelerate that process.

Anutin came to power after his Bhumjaithai Party won the support of the People's Party, which put forward a number of demands – including a referendum on constitutional amendments – as part of the agreement to support him.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, told reporters on Thursday evening that the Bhumjaithai Party had not complied with the terms of their agreement. "We tried to leverage the opposition's voice to push for constitutional amendments," he said.

Source: https://congluan.vn/thu-tuong-thai-lan-tuyen-bo-giai-tan-quoc-hoi-mo-duong-cho-bau-cu-som-10322280.html