Thailand ruling party seeks parliament dissolution as opposition backs Anutin for PM

Thailand’s ruling party has asked the king to dissolve parliament after ex-PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s ouster. The powerful People’s Party switched support to Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of Bhumjaithai, who claims backing from 146 lawmakers. His premiership hinges on dissolving parliament within four months, which would trigger fresh elections. A parliamentary vote could be held Friday.

Thailand’s ruling party has formally sought royal approval to dissolve parliament and pave the way for a new general election, only hours after the largest opposition party threw its weight behind a rival candidate to lead the country. The move marks the latest twist in Thailand’s ongoing political turmoil, which has intensified since the dismissal of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Paetongtarn, who was removed from office last week by the Constitutional Court over her handling of a sensitive border dispute with Cambodia, left her Pheu Thai party in charge of the government in a caretaker capacity. In a bid to maintain control, Pheu Thai attempted to secure support from the powerful People’s Party, which holds nearly one-third of the seats in the lower house, in hopes of preserving its fragile governing coalition.

However, in a dramatic shift, the People’s Party declared on Wednesday that it would back Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, to take the premiership. Bhumjaithai, once a coalition partner of Pheu Thai, has now turned toward forming its own government under Anutin’s leadership.

Anutin, a wealthy conservative businessman and heir to a major construction empire, told reporters that he had secured the backing of 146 lawmakers drawn from seven different political groups and parties. He has previously held key government positions, including deputy prime minister and interior minister, and gained prominence as health minister in 2022, when he championed the legalization of cannabis for medical and recreational use.

The People’s Party made its support for Anutin contingent on his agreement to dissolve the House of Representatives within four months, thereby triggering a new election cycle. Under Thailand’s constitution, if King Maha Vajiralongkorn consents to the dissolution of parliament, elections must be held within 45 to 60 days.

Anutin stated that he was fully committed to the conditions laid down by the People’s Party, including the timeline for dissolving parliament. In parallel, People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut announced that a parliamentary vote to select a new prime minister could be scheduled as early as Friday.

Natthaphong, however, voiced concerns about possible political backsliding. He warned of the risk of the old coalition returning to power, a coalition that, in his words, “failed to run the country over the last two years.” He also cautioned against the potential reemergence of former coup leader Prayuth Chan-ocha, who toppled the government in 2014 and, despite having retired from active military life, remains eligible to once again assume the premiership.