Thailand‘s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, has submitted a petition to dissolve parliament, a move that comes after the largest opposition party, the People’s Party, backed a rival candidate to lead the country.
The petition, submitted by the ruling Pheu Thai party, is now awaiting royal approval. This development follows the recent removal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office by Thailand’s Constitutional Court, which found she had breached ethical standards.
The decision to dissolve parliament was made swiftly after the People’s Party announced it would support the Bhumjaithai Party to form the next government.
According to People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, his party’s 143 lawmakers have agreed to support Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul, a conservative business tycoon, to serve as the next prime minister. This support would likely give Anutin majority support in parliament.
Natthaphong emphasized that his party’s support for Anutin is conditional on parliament being dissolved and new elections being held within four months.
“So that power can be returned to the people as soon as possible,” he said. The People’s Party aims to prevent the return of a Pheu Thai-led coalition government, which they believe is not fit to rule again.
Anutin has stated that he has the support of 146 lawmakers in his bid to become prime minister and is committed to the conditions laid out by the People’s Party. A parliamentary vote on a new prime minister could take place as soon as Friday.
The crisis began when Paetongtarn was removed as prime minister by Thailand’s Constitutional Court after it found she had breached ethical standards stemming from a controversial phone call with Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The call’s leaked audio recording sparked widespread criticism and led to the Bhumjaithai Party’s withdrawal from the ruling coalition.
The opposition leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, had previously called for Paetongtarn’s resignation, stating that the situation was the “last straw” for public confidence in her leadership.
He emphasized the need for the prime minister to take political responsibility and dissolve parliament to restore public trust.
The dissolution of parliament and the subsequent elections could significantly impact Thailand’s political landscape. The People’s Party has consistently led opinion polls, and an early election could work in their favor.
However, the Pheu Thai party has maintained that Paetongtarn’s government would not resign or dissolve parliament, despite growing pressure.
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