Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul looks on at the venue of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia October 26, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Thai PM Anutin moves to dissolve parliament, setting stage for elections

Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed a decree to dissolve parliament, clearing the way for early elections to be held in 45 to 60 days, according to the Royal Gazette.

11 Dec 2025, 21:13 · CNA · Join

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BANGKOK: Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Thursday (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.

Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn later endorsed the decree, the official Royal Gazette announced on Friday, making way for early elections, which by law must be held within 45 to 60 days.

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The political turmoil coincides with a fourth day of a fierce border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia in which at least 20 people have been killed and nearly 200 wounded.

Anutin told reporters on Wednesday 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," Anutin said on social media late on Thursday.

He is Thailand's third prime minister since August 2023, and political instability is taking a toll on Southeast 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 FOR ELECTIONS

In September, 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.

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," Siripong said.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, told reporters late on Thursday 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.

Strategic and defence studies lecturer Gregory Raymond called the move a “khaki election” – national polls held during a period of conflict, which can shape voter behaviour.

He noted that holding an election amid border tensions could burnish Anutin’s image as a defender of Thai sovereignty, especially after widespread criticism of his government’s response to deadly floods in the country’s south.

Recent reports alleging links between Anutin and regional scam networks have also damaged the prime minister’s political standing, added Raymond, who teaches at the Australian National University’s Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs.

“That has really destabilised Anutin’s image as a clean politician … the opposition are asking a lot of very tough questions,” he told CNA’s Asia First programme.

“We've seen a rise of very ultra nationalistic sentiment amongst Thai people – animosity towards neighbouring countries is easily ignited in Thailand.”

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