Thailand's Parliament is set to elect a new prime minister this Friday after royal officials rejected the ruling party's bid to dissolve the legislature. The vote, scheduled for around 10:00 am in Bangkok, follows a political shakeup that began on August 29, when the Constitutional Court removed then-Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an ethics breach.
A coalition of opposition MPs has put forward conservative construction magnate Anutin Charnvirakul as their candidate. With a narrow majority at stake, the upcoming ballot will test the alliances that shape Thai politics and influence investor confidence in Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
In a last-minute move, Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party—acting in a caretaker role—submitted a request to the palace to dissolve parliament and avoid the vote. Caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the Office of the Privy Council advised it was "inappropriate to present the draft of the Royal Decree to His Majesty at this time," citing disputed legal issues over his authority.
With the dissolution bid off the table, MPs now face a clear choice: confirm Anutin as the next leader or prolong the power vacuum that has left Thailand without a fully empowered government for two months. The outcome will not only shape domestic policy on education, public health, and infrastructure but also signal Thailand's stability to international partners.
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Thailand to vote on new prime minister after dissolution bid rejected
cgtn.com
