Thailand prepares snap elections after dissolution of Parliament | World

The election, expected to take place in 45 to 60 days, revives fears of further instability in a country where, over the past two decades, military coups and judicial rulings have repeatedly toppled elected governments in a persistent power struggle between traditional elites and progressive forces.

Anutin’s decision comes as the military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia enters its fifth day, with at least 20 dead, more than 260 injured and hundreds of thousands displaced. Thailand’s prime minister said he had planned a call Friday evening with U.S. President Donald Trump, who intervened in July to broker a fragile truce the last time fighting broke out.

On Thursday, Anutin said he was “returning power to the people.” King Maha Vajiralongkorn approved his request to call a general election within hours, according to the official newspaper – a move that paves the way for a vote as early as February.

The decision, made less than 100 days after Anutin took over as head of a minority government, came amid intense political tensions that heightened expectations of the opposition – the People’s Party, the largest group in the House – to present a vote of no confidence against him.

Anutin was elected prime minister by Parliament in September after a court removed Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

His rise was only possible thanks to an agreement with the Popular Party to support him in exchange for his participation in the constitutional revision process and the dissolution of the House at the end of January.

But chaos reigned Thursday at a joint session of the Legislative Assembly over the process of voting on constitutional amendments, with the opposition accusing Anutin’s Bhumjaithai party of breaking the deal. A government spokesperson said a vote of no confidence was expected.

Thailand’s third prime minister in just two years, Anutin faces an uphill battle trying to win re-election, as opinion polls point to the liberal opposition as the most popular political force.

Known for his ability to articulate, having ensured his party strategic ministerial positions and its presence in several coalitions, Anutin will now have to broaden his support within the country and among influential elites to build new alliances and try to stop the advance of the People’s Party.

The predecessor of the Popular Party won the 2023 elections on a protest platform, but was prevented from forming a government by parliamentarians linked to the royalist army. Anutin insisted he respected the agreement with the opposition.

“We must recognize that we became a government thanks to the support of the People’s Party,” Anutin said. “You voted for me to be prime minister and now you say you no longer support me and ask me to dissolve Parliament,” he added. “I just did what you asked.”