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.
President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran had agreed to continue talks despite an escalation of hostilities this week but he declared that the cea...
A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering British politician Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, ...
Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s capital early on Saturday, injuring at least 10 people, officials said. The attack came...
Eight Buddhist monks were killed and more than 20 others injured after an 11-year-old boy driving his parents' pickup truck ploughed into a religious procession in north-eastern Thailand, police said.
The family of a 17-year-old Thai girl say they have been left devastated after an Australian man was charged over her death in Pattaya.
Thailand is reviving plans for one of its most ambitious infrastructure projects in decades, a proposed $30 billion “Land Bridge” that would connect the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea and offer an alternative trade route to the busy Strait of Malacca.
Thailand’s Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendira Debyavati has died at the age of 47 after suffering prolonged health complications that left her in a coma for nearly four years.
It has been a punishing week for large parts of China, and forecasters warn the worst may not be over. After Typhoon Maysak left a trail of destruction and at least 23 people dead, Super Typhoon Bavi is now threatening the country's eastern coast.
At least 12 people have been killed in forest fires in Almeria in southern Spain, Andalucía’s emergency agency has said, as firefighters continue efforts to put out the blaze.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington has agreed to resume talks with Iran after Tehran requested further negotiations, but declared that last month's ceasefire between the two countries was "over".
The U.S. military said on Wednesday it launched fresh strikes on Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to shipping, triggering Iranian attacks on Kuwait and Bahrain in the latest escalation to derail efforts to end the war.
Dozens of flights have been cancelled across East Asia as Super Typhoon Bavi approaches China. The typhoon, which has maximum sustained winds of 162 kph (100mph), is nearing a remote chain of Japanese islands, east of Taiwan on Friday.
A 26-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering British politician Ann Widdecombe has been released and is no longer part of the investigation, UK police have said.
Russia launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s capital early on Saturday, injuring at least 10 people, officials said. The attack came as Kyiv faces a shortage of air defence munitions while awaiting fresh supplies to counter Russian strikes.
The remains of 10 victims of the 1995 Srebrenica genocide were carried to the Potočari Memorial Cemetery in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday ahead of their burial during the 31st anniversary commemoration.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 11 July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
More than 100 countries now spend more on servicing debt than on education, UNESCO has warned, as it called on governments and international lenders to expand the use of debt-for-education swaps.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment