Former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s dismissal by the Constitutional Court has escalated political turmoil in Thailand. Acting Prime Minister and leader of the ruling party Pheu Thai Party, Phumtham Wechayachai, has proposed to dissolve the parliament for early elections, while the largest party in the parliament, the People’s Party, supports the formation of a new government by the Thai Proud Party in hopes of ending the political deadlock.
On Wednesday (September 3), Sorawong Thienthong, the Secretary-General of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, stated that Wechayachai has submitted a royal decree to dissolve the parliament for early elections after the ousting of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn by the court. The party has decided on early elections to prevent opposing factions from seizing the opportunity to form a new government.
According to Thai law, a national election must be held within 60 days after the dissolution of the parliament. While legal experts have differing opinions on whether the acting Prime Minister has the authority to dissolve the parliament, if approved by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the royal decree may be published in the Royal Gazette.
Earlier that day, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the leader of the People’s Party, announced support for Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of the Thai Proud Party, to become the next Prime Minister. The parliamentary vote on the new Prime Minister could take place on Friday (September 5).
Natthaphong stated that this decision aims to prevent the return of an inadequate former coalition government to power but reiterated that they will not join the Thai Proud Party’s government. He expressed concerns that the previous coalition government may govern poorly and also raised fears of General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who staged a coup in 2014 and has since retired, returning to the position of Prime Minister.
The opposition People’s Party holds nearly a third of the seats in the lower house, a move that could break the deadlock that has persisted over the past few days.
Currently, the Pheu Thai Party is eager to consolidate its fragile majority alliance, but with declining support rates and facing public protests. Former ally Thai Proud Party is challenging the formation of a new government.
Analysts at Reuters believe that the ousting of Paetongtarn signifies a new shift in the power struggles among the Thai political elite over the past twenty years.
The Thai Constitutional Court ruled on August 29 that Paetongtarn “seriously violated” constitutional ethical standards during a conversation with the Cambodian Senate President when the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia was escalating.
The 39-year-old Paetongtarn, born into the Shinawatra family, is the youngest prime minister in Thai history and the sixth leader in the country to be removed from office due to military or judicial intervention.
The Pheu Thai Party, founded by Paetongtarn’s billionaire father Thaksin Shinawatra, has been in power since 2011, spanning over 14 years. However, the party’s rule has been interrupted multiple times due to military coups or political changes.
(This article was based on reports from Reuters and Bloomberg)