Thai PM Moves to Dissolve Parliament, Prompting Snap Elections

Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Thursday that he would “return power to the people” by dissolving parliament, setting the stage for snap elections under the constitutional requirement that polls be held within 45–60 days once royal approval is granted.

The move signals a dramatic shift in Thailand’s political landscape as the government confronts growing public and parliamentary pressure.

The decision follows intensifying tensions with the opposition People’s Party, which had been preparing a no-confidence motion against the government.

Opposition leaders accused Anutin’s Bhumjaithai Party of failing to uphold commitments on constitutional reform, deepening a political standoff less than three months into his premiership.

• PM Anutin Charnvirakul dissolves Thailand’s parliament, triggering snap elections within 45–60 days
• The move follows escalating clashes with the opposition and rising public pressure for constitutional reform
• Thailand faces economic strain and border tensions as it heads into a pivotal 2026 election period

Anutin framed the dissolution as a democratic reset aimed at ending political deadlock. His plan received endorsement from King Maha Vajiralongkorn, formally starting the countdown to the Thai general election expected in early 2026. Analysts say the vote will test whether Thai voters grant a clearer mandate or reinforce existing fragmentation across the country’s political blocs.

Even as the election process begins, Anutin pledged continuity in national security operations, particularly along the tense Thai–Cambodian border, where recent clashes have escalated into some of the most intense fighting in years. The government insists that key security and humanitarian operations will remain unaffected during the campaign period.

The announcement comes amid rising economic challenges, including high household debt, weak consumer demand, and pressure from U.S. tariffs affecting Thailand’s export-driven sectors. Economists warn that prolonged political uncertainty could further undermine investor confidence.

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With parliament dissolving and election preparations underway, Thailand enters a pivotal period that will shape its political direction, stability, and policymaking in the year ahead.