Thai PM says he will return ‘power to the people’, setting stage for vote
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said in September he planned to dissolve Parliament by the end of January.
PHOTO: REUTERS
- Thailand's PM Anutin Charnvirakul will dissolve Parliament, prompting earlier elections due to a disagreement with the People’s Party.
- Political turmoil coincides with an ongoing Thai-Cambodia border conflict that has caused 20 deaths, and nearly 200 wounded.
- Anutin stated he is "returning power to the people," with elections in 45-60 days, amid economic strains like US tariffs.
AI generated
BANGKOK – Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Dec 11 that he is “returning power to the people”, moving to dissolve Parliament and clear the way for elections earlier than previously anticipated.
Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat told Reuters the move followed a disagreement with the largest grouping in Parliament, the opposition People’s Party.
“This happened because we can’t go forward in Parliament,” he told Reuters.
The political turmoil coincides with a fourth day of a fierce border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia
Mr Anutin told reporters on Dec 10 that dissolving Parliament would not impact Thailand’s military operations along the frontier, where clashes have broken out at more than a dozen locations, some involving exchanges of heavy artillery.
“I am returning power to the people,” Mr Anutin said on social media late on Dec 11.
He is Thailand’s third prime minister since August 2023, and political instability is taking a toll on South-east Asia’s second-largest economy, which is grappling with US tariffs, high household debt and weak consumption.
If the King approves a request for the dissolution of Parliament by the prime minister, polls must be held within 45-60 days, according to the Thai constitution.
Accelerated timeline
In September, Mr Anutin had said that he planned to dissolve Parliament by the end of January, with a general election to be held in March or early April, but this move would accelerate that timeline.
Mr Anutin took power after pulling his Bhumjaithai party out of a ruling coalition and securing the backing of the People’s Party, which put forward a number of demands - including a referendum on constitutional amendments - as part of a deal to support him.
“When the People’s Party couldn’t get what they want, they said they will submit a no-confidence motion and asked the PM to dissolve Parliament immediately,” Mr Siripong said.
Mr Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, told reporters late on Dec 11 that the Bhumjaithai party did not follow the terms of their agreement.
“We have tried to use the voice of the opposition to push forward amending the constitution,” he said. REUTERS
