Thai royal officials have rejected a request by the ruling Pheu Thai party to dissolve parliament, acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed on Thursday. This decision clears the way for a parliamentary vote that could select the country’s next leader.
A power vacuum has gripped Thailand’s top office since last Friday, when the Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an alleged ethics violation.
| Key Event | Date/Details |
| PM sacked | Last Friday by Constitutional Court for ethics breach |
| Attempted dissolution | Pheu Thai requested the palace to dissolve parliament |
| Royal rejection | Privy Council deemed it “inappropriate” to present Royal Decree at this time |
| New vote | Scheduled for Friday at 10:00 am (0300 GMT) |
Caretaker premier Wechayachai stated that the Office of the Privy Council cited “disputed legal issues” over his authority to dissolve parliament while in a caretaker role.
The opposition coalition has backed Anutin Charnvirakul, a 58-year-old conservative construction magnate, as the likely next prime minister.
Anutin’s political record includes:
- Former Deputy Prime Minister
- Interior Minister
- Health Minister
- Notably legalised cannabis in 2022
He has secured support from the 143-seat People’s Party, which, despite being in opposition, holds the most parliamentary seats. However, their backing comes with conditions: they will not join his cabinet and demand parliament be dissolved for fresh elections within four months.
Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party is the third-largest party, which, together with other smaller allies, positions him to command a comfortable majority in parliament
The Pheu Thai party has been a dominant force in Thai politics over the past two decades, championing populist policies while facing ongoing challenges from the pro-military, pro-monarchy establishment.
Paetongtarn’s removal is a significant setback for the Shinawatra dynasty, which has encountered a series of legal and political obstacles in recent years.
Anutin had initially backed Paetongtarn’s coalition but withdrew support following her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia, which contributed to her ouster.
The Pheu Thai party attempted to block the vote by submitting a dissolution request immediately after the People’s Party declared support for Anutin. However, the royal refusal has left the path clear for MPs to elect the next prime minister.
