Thailand has been plunged into simultaneous political and military crises as Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul moved to dissolve parliament amid a complete legislative gridlock, while fierce border clashes with Cambodia continue for a fourth day. Anutin announced late Thursday that he is "returning power to the people," a formal signal that he has requested royal approval to dissolve the House of Representatives, which would trigger a general election within 45 to 60 days.
The political collapse stems from a broken agreement with the opposition People's Party, the largest grouping in parliament. Government spokesman Siripong Angkasakulkiat stated the move was necessary because "we can't go forward in parliament". The People's Party had supported Anutin's rise to the premiership in September under a deal that required constitutional amendments and a promised dissolution of parliament within four months. The party's leader, Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, accused Anutin's Bhumjaithai party of not honoring their agreement. This dissolution accelerates the political timeline, as Anutin had previously pledged to dissolve parliament by the end of January 2026, with an election expected in March or April.
This domestic turmoil unfolds alongside a severe military confrontation with Cambodia, now in its fourth day. The border conflict, which involves exchanges of heavy artillery and Thai airstrikes, has killed at least 20 people and wounded nearly 200 this week, while forcing over 500,000 civilians from their homes on both sides of the frontier. Anutin has asserted that dissolving parliament "would not impact Thailand's military operations along the frontier". The fighting marks a dramatic collapse of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire that was signed in Kuala Lumpur in October in the presence of President Donald Trump. Thailand suspended the agreement last month after a landmine incident it blamed on Cambodia.
The convergence of crises places immense strain on Thailand, Southeast Asia's second-largest economy, which is already grappling with U.S. tariffs, high household debt, and weak consumption. Anutin is the country's third prime minister since August 2023, underscoring a period of profound political instability that began when the progressive Move Forward Party, which won the 2023 election, was blocked from forming a government. The upcoming election will be the first where the appointed senate no longer has the power to vote for the prime minister, potentially allowing the election winner to actually take power. Voters are also expected to decide on referendums regarding a constitutional rewrite and agreements with Cambodia.