Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dissolved parliament, paving the way for snap elections as early as February, following a rift with the opposition People’s Party and amid rising political turmoil and ongoing border clashes with Cambodia.
The dissolution of parliament, endorsed by Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn, accelerates the timeline for elections, which must be held within 45 to 60 days. Initially, Anutin had planned for elections in March or April, but his decision now brings them forward.
Anutin’s move comes after a growing rift with the opposition People’s Party, which had been pushing for constitutional amendments as part of a deal to support Anutin’s government. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, a government spokesperson, stated that the inability to move forward in parliament prompted the decision to dissolve it.
While the political landscape shifts, Thailand is also grappling with intense border clashes with Cambodia. For the past four days, the fighting has raged along the 817 km border, resulting in at least 20 deaths, nearly 200 injuries, and displacing hundreds of thousands of people. Anutin reassured reporters that the dissolution would not impact military operations along the frontier.
Anutin, Thailand’s third prime minister since August 2023, now faces an uphill struggle to secure re-election. The country’s political instability, combined with economic challenges such as high household debt and weak consumption, has put additional pressure on his government.
The People’s Party, which had initially backed Anutin’s rise to power, accused his Bhumjaithai Party of failing to honor their agreement, particularly regarding a referendum on constitutional amendments. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, expressed disappointment that the Bhumjaithai Party had not followed through on their pact, which had been crucial for their support.
As Thailand moves toward elections, the political uncertainty, compounded by the ongoing border conflict, continues to impact the country’s stability and economic outlook.
Iran’s army said it targeted U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait with drone attacks. Tehran said the operations were carried out in retal...
Georgia has secured two major financial commitments this week, with one aimed at easing road congestion around the capital and the other at strengthen...
A Turkish-owned cargo ship was struck by a drone in the Black Sea after leaving a Ukrainian port, in the latest incident to raise concerns over the sa...
The U.S. military said it completed its latest wave of strikes on Iran, a two-hour operation that hit dozens of targets. Washington described the strikes as a "powerful response" to Iranian missile attacks targeting U.S. forces in the Middle East a day earlier.
Saudi Arabia said its overnight strikes on Iran-backed group targets in Iraq were carried out in self-defence and warned it would take further military action if the groups launched new attacks against the kingdom.
Ukraine targeted a warehouse belonging to Russia’s largest retailer, Wildberries, and an oil refinery overnight, while Moscow said its forces struck a ship carrying military cargo in the Black Sea.
Iran’s army said it targeted U.S. military facilities in Bahrain and Kuwait with drone attacks. Tehran said the operations were carried out in retaliation for recent U.S. strikes.
Thousands of migrants have crossed into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta from Morocco, overwhelming border security and prompting local authorities to call for a national emergency and military deployment.
Thousands of people spent the night on beaches, waiting by fences or wading through the sea in the hope of reaching Europe, as an estimated 49,000 migrants crossed into Spain's enclave of Ceuta in just 24 hours.
Carlos Cordeiro, senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, has resigned with immediate effect in protest over proposals to sell a stake in the FIFA World Cup, calling the plan "a bad deal for football."
Ukraine targeted a warehouse belonging to Russia’s largest retailer, Wildberries, and an oil refinery overnight, while Moscow said its forces struck a ship carrying military cargo in the Black Sea.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 31st of July, covering the latest developments.
At least 18 coal miners have been killed and 14 others remain trapped after a powerful methane gas explosion caused part of a mining complex to collapse in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, officials said on Thursday.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment