Bangkok, Thailand- September 3,2025
Thailand’s political landscape has been plunged into deeper uncertainty after the acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, moved to dissolve parliament just days after the Thai Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office. This dramatic development, which would trigger a new general election, comes as rival parties jostle to form a new government and fill the leadership void, signaling a potential new phase of political instability.
The decision to seek the dissolution of the House of Representatives was reportedly made after the main opposition People’s Party, which won the most seats in the 2023 general election, announced its support for a rival prime ministerial candidate, Anutin Charnvirakul. This move by the opposition effectively blocked the ruling Pheu Thai party’s efforts to install a new leader and maintain control.
The latest political turmoil began on August 29, when the Constitutional Court, in a 6-3 vote, dismissed Paetongtarn from her position for violating ethical rules. The ruling was based on a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and a high-ranking Cambodian official, which the court determined compromised national interests. Paetongtarn’s removal, the second judicial ousting of a prime minister in the past year, has once again underscored the deep political divides in the country.
With the dissolution decree submitted for royal endorsement, the legality of the move by a caretaker government is now under debate. However, the move is seen by many as a strategic maneuver by the Pheu Thai party to block its opponents and regain a majority through a new election. It is the 15th time in Thai history that a government has taken this step, illustrating the country’s long record of political instability.
The People’s Party, the successor to the now-dissolved Move Forward Party, has emerged as a crucial kingmaker in this political impasse. The party had stated its willingness to back a new government only if it committed to dissolving parliament within a few months and amending the country’s military-drafted constitution. This latest move by the acting government could be an attempt to meet those conditions, albeit on its own terms.
The unfolding drama has serious implications for Thailand’s economy, which is already struggling to gain traction. Observers warn that the prolonged political deadlock could further deter investment and slow economic growth, which is lagging behind its regional neighbors. As the country awaits a royal endorsement for the dissolution, the political uncertainty persists, with no clear end in sight.
Headline Points:
* Political Shockwave: Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai seeks to dissolve parliament, aiming for a new general election to break the political deadlock.
* Backlash to Judicial Ousting: The move comes just days after the Constitutional Court removed Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office for an ethics violation.
* Strategic Maneuver: The dissolution is seen as a move by the ruling Pheu Thai party to regain a majority after a rival candidate secured opposition support.
* Kingmaker’s Role: The opposition People’s Party, with the largest number of seats, has played a key role in shaping the current political crisis.
* Economic Impact: The ongoing political turmoil is expected to further strain the Thai economy and deter foreign investment.
