BANGKOK — Tensions in Thailand’s politics have reached new heights as the ruling Pheu Thai Party, led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, requested royal consent to dissolve the lower house.
This step could open the door to a quick general election and came shortly after the opposition People’s Party, holding 143 seats, threw its support behind Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai Party as the next prime minister. These moves have set up a direct contest for control of the government.
Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the People’s Party leader, announced the party’s stance during a morning press conference at Parliament, following a period of heated internal talks.
As the largest party in the Assembly, the People’s Party has held a key position since the Constitutional Court removed former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra last Friday over an ethics breach related to a leaked phone conversation with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen..
The court’s 6-3 decision left Thailand without a prime minister and Parliament at a standstill.
The party’s decision to support Anutin, known as a divisive former interior minister, was a strategic move to break the impasse. However, the endorsement came with strict conditions: any new government must dissolve Parliament within four months, hold a national vote on amending the constitution, and allow for an elected group to draft a new charter.
The People’s Party also insisted it would stay out of the cabinet, pledging instead to hold the government to account.
Natthaphong said the goal was to block the return of a coalition seen as weak and to protect the public’s vote, pointing to ongoing worries about a shift back to rule dominated by military interests, referencing figures such as past coup leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Anutin Charnvirakul as Prime Minister
Bhumjaithai, which has 69 MPs, has worked to add enough support to secure Anutin’s place as prime minister, needing 247 votes. Reports suggest Anutin has gained backing from the Kla Tham Party (with 25 MPs), Palang Pracharat (20 MPs), Thai Sang Thai (6 MPs), plus several independents and former Pheu Thai supporters.
Together with the People’s Party, they may reach about 283 votes. Still, doubts remain, given Bhumjaithai’s slow pace on constitutional change and its connections to upper-level conservative networks, casting clouds over the People’s Party’s hope for reforms.
After Paetongtarn’s removal, Pheu Thai responded quickly to the People’s Party’s move. Sorawong Thienthong, the party secretary-general, said Phumtham had already asked the King for a house dissolution on Tuesday night, possibly stopping a vote for prime minister set for 4 or 5 September.
“If the People’s Party goes with Anutin, we’ll move ahead with calling a new election,” Sorawong told the Bangkok Post, showing the party’s intent to regain control. However, legal experts are split on whether an acting government has the legal power to dissolve Parliament, raising the prospect of a constitutional struggle.
Pheu Thai has seen its standing sink. Once a powerhouse under the Shinawatra family’s leadership, the party has lost ground amid internal rifts and public anger after the handling of the border dispute with Cambodia. The party’s current alliance, which holds 141 seats along with the Democrats,
Thailand’s People’s Party Stirs the Pot
Chart Thai Pattana and Prachachart are shaky, with word of MPs switching sides to join Bhumjaithai. Pheu Thai now backs Chaikasem Nitisiri, a 77-year-old ex-attorney general, for prime minister, but his quiet profile and limited influence have caused doubts about his ability to put up a strong challenge to Anutin.
The People’s Party’s support for Anutin instead of Chaikasem has stirred debate, especially given past tensions. After the 2023 election, the Move Forward Party, which came first, found itself sidelined when Pheu Thai allied with military-linked factions.
Many progressive voters felt abandoned. People’s Party spokesperson Parit Wacharasindhu was clear: their 143 votes are meant to push for fresh elections and rewrite the constitution, not to bargain for government roles. “We don’t put faith in either side,” Parit said, highlighting their mistrust of both major parties.
Anutin’s possible rise has brought policy questions. Bhumjaithai’s programme, priced at 1.9 trillion baht, includes major public works, a pause on debt repayments, and expanded healthcare. Critics, including the Thailand Development Research Institute, warn that this spending relies heavily on money outside the regular government budget and could put extra strain on finances.
Concerns also linger over Anutin’s history of supporting cannabis legalization (since reversed by Pheu Thai) and his links to top conservatives like General Prawit Wongsuwan, both points that clash with the People’s Party’s idea for a more progressive agenda.
The country faces a crucial period. If Parliament dissolves, the leadership vote may be delayed, possibly deepening the country’s troubles. If Anutin wins, his minority-led government could find it hard to pass new laws without help from the People’s Party, risking more instability. Political analyst Ken Lohatepanont said the outcome will set the direction for democracy in Thailand.
With talks still ongoing and frustration spreading, the stakes are clear for Thailand’s political leaders. Pheu Thai’s move to dissolve Parliament could revive its hold on power, while Anutin’s growing bloc could herald a new, but still fragile, administration. For now, the fight over who leads Thailand looks far from settled.
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