Bangkok, Thailand – In an escalation of Thailand’s ongoing political turmoil, the caretaker prime minister from the ruling Pheu Thai Party announced on September 4th, 2025, that parliament would be dissolved immediately and new elections called without delay if lawmakers vote for a prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai party. The move, aimed at preventing Bhumjaithai leader Anutin Charnvirakul from assuming even temporary power, comes amid a fragile coalition and the recent ouster of former Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra by the Constitutional Court.
Phumtham Wechayachai, serving as caretaker prime minister since Paetongtarn’s dismissal on August 29th for ethical violations related to a leaked phone call with Cambodia’s former leader Hun Sen during a border dispute, stated the dissolution would occur “As soon as the new PM is made official,” bypassing any interim period. This follows Pheu Thai’s earlier petition to His Royal Majesty the King on September 2nd for royal approval of the snap election, a strategy critics viewed as a desperate bid to cling to power and avoid a humiliating defeat in parliament. This attempt, however, was reportedly sent back to legal concerns by the council of state, which has now led to the offer that if Pheu Thai’s candidate is made official PM, he will immediately dissolve Parliament to trigger new elections.
The crisis traces back to Paetongtarn’s removal, the sixth Shinawatra family-linked premier ousted by judicial or military intervention since 2006, amid a deadly border conflict with Cambodia in July that killed dozens and displaced thousands. Paetongtarn, daughter of exiled tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra and leader of Pheu Thai—the populist party that has dominated Thai politics for two decades—had led a shaky coalition weakened by Bhumjaithai’s defection in June over policy disputes, including marijuana policy disagreements.
Complicating matters, the progressive People’s Party (formerly Move Forward), which holds 143 seats and emerged as the largest bloc in the 2023 elections, announced its support for Anutin on September 3rd. The endorsement, secured via a signed agreement, promises Anutin 247 votes—half of the lower house—to form a minority government, provided he dissolves parliament within four months and pursues constitutional reforms, including a referendum for a new charter. People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut framed the deal as a way to “return power to the people” and counter “interference by powerful interests,” criticizing Pheu Thai’s two-year tenure as ineffective.
Anutin, a conservative tycoon and former health minister known for championing cannabis legalization, expressed confidence in the prior agreement during a press conference, stating the People’s Party would honor its commitment despite Pheu Thai’s maneuvers. “We know the People’s Party has cooperated and made sacrifices in finding a solution for Thailand during this period of crises,” Anutin said, stressing his party’s readiness to form a stable interim administration. Bhumjaithai had quit Pheu Thai’s coalition earlier, leaving the government with a razor-thin majority. However, Pheu Thai now offering to immediately dissolve Parliament by the new PM and call elections is likely very tempting for the People’s Party and throws a wrench in their prior plans.
A parliamentary vote on the prime minister is scheduled for tomorrow September 5th, Political analysts warn of prolonged deadlock, echoing Thailand’s history of elite rivalries and judicial interventions that have seen five premiers removed since 2008.
For the original version of this article, please visit The Pattaya News.
