What's happened
Thailand's parliament is set to dissolve following the court's removal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for ethics violations. Opposition support has shifted to Anutin Charnvirakul, who is expected to become the next prime minister after a parliamentary vote, with a promise to call a snap election within four months.
What's behind the headline?
The recent developments in Thailand's political landscape reveal a strategic shift by opposition forces to stabilize the government through parliamentary maneuvering. The support for Anutin, a figure with a strong royalist and conservative background, indicates a move away from populist and reformist parties like Pheu Thai and Move Forward. The promise to call a snap election is a calculated effort to legitimize the new government and placate public unrest. This scenario underscores the persistent influence of the monarchy and military in Thai politics, where constitutional and court rulings are often used to shape leadership outcomes. The dissolution of parliament and the upcoming elections will likely deepen the political divide, with reformist factions wary of returning to power under conservative control. The next few months will be critical in determining whether Thailand can transition towards a more democratic process or remain under the shadow of elite influence. The outcome will significantly impact the country's stability and its democratic trajectory.
What the papers say
The coverage from SBS, South China Morning Post, Al Jazeera, and Bloomberg provides a comprehensive view of Thailand's political crisis. SBS highlights Anutin's parliamentary victory and the support from opposition parties. South China Morning Post emphasizes the legal and constitutional context, noting the court's role in removing Paetongtarn and the subsequent dissolution of parliament. Al Jazeera focuses on the political negotiations and the promise of a snap election, while Bloomberg details the procedural steps taken by Pheu Thai to dissolve parliament and the strategic support for Anutin. The sources collectively illustrate a complex power struggle involving courts, political parties, and the monarchy, with each outlet offering nuanced insights into the implications of these events.
How we got here
Thailand has experienced ongoing political instability, with recent court rulings removing prime ministers over ethics breaches and dissolving parties. The current crisis was triggered by the court's removal of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, leader of Pheu Thai, and the subsequent power vacuum. The opposition, led by the Bhumjaithai Party and the People’s Party, has maneuvered to support Anutin, a veteran politician and cannabis decriminalization advocate, as a candidate for prime minister. The move aims to resolve deadlock and restore parliamentary stability, with plans for a snap election within four months.
Go deeper
Common question
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Why is Thailand’s parliament being dissolved?
Thailand is currently experiencing a major political upheaval, with the government moving toward dissolving parliament amid court rulings and ongoing power struggles. Many are wondering what’s behind these dramatic moves and what they mean for Thailand’s future. Below, we explore the key questions about this political crisis, including the reasons for the dissolution, the opposition’s plans, and what could happen next.
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Why was Thailand's parliament dissolution blocked?
Thailand's political landscape is currently in turmoil after efforts to dissolve parliament and trigger a snap election were halted. The Office of the Privy Council rejected the move, citing legal disputes over the authority of the caretaker government. This has raised many questions about what’s next for Thailand’s government and political stability. Below, we explore the key issues and what they mean for Thailand’s future.
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What’s Really Happening in Thailand’s Political Crisis?
Thailand is currently facing a major political upheaval following the removal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and ongoing power struggles. Many are wondering what led to these events, who might lead Thailand next, and how citizens are reacting. Below, we answer the most common questions about this turbulent situation to keep you informed on what’s happening now.
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More on these topics
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Anutin Charnvirakul is a Thai politician. As of 2020, he serves as Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Health.
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Paetongtarn Shinawatra (born 21 August 1986) is a Thai politician and businesswoman who served as the 31st prime minister of Thailand from 2024 until her removal from office in 2025. A member of the Pheu Thai Party, daughter of the 23rd prime minister...
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The Pheu Thai Party (PTP or PT) is a major populist political party in Thailand. It is the third incarnation of the Thai Rak Thai Party, a political party founded by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 1998. Like the previous incarnations, Pheu...
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Phumtham Wechayachai (Thai: ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย, RTGS: Phumtham Wetchayachai, pronounced [pʰūːm.tʰām wêːt.tɕʰá.já.tɕʰāj]; born 5 December 1953) is a Thai politician who served as the acting Prime Minister of Thail
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Bhumjaithai Party was founded on 5 November 2008, in anticipation of the 2 December 2008, Constitutional Court of Thailand ruling that dissolved its "de facto predecessor", the Neutral Democratic Party, along with the People's Power Party, and the Thai Na
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Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman, politician and visiting professor. He served in the Thai Police from 1973 to 1987, and was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006.
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Hun Sen is a Cambodian politician who has served as the Prime Minister of Cambodia since 1985, the longest-serving head of government of Cambodia, and one of the longest-serving leaders in the world.
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The Move Forward Party is a social-democratic and progressive opposition political party in Thailand that opposes the remaining influence of the military junta which ruled the country from 2014 to 2019.
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Thailand, officially the Kingdom of Thailand and formerly known as Siam, is a country in Southeast Asia. Located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, it is composed of 76 provinces, and covers an area of 513,120 square kilometres, and a population