Thailand Moves Forward to Election after PM Submits Decree to Dissolve Parliament

Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has submitted the decree to dissolve parliament for royal endorsement, which would result in a general election in May.

The order, which would be published in the Royal Gazette on March 20 or no later than March 22, came just days before the end of a four-year term run by the former coup leader.

The dissolution of parliament is a tactic that will buy time for campaigns and recruit members for Prayut’s new political party that lists him as sole candidate.

According to the electoral laws, the general election must be held within 45-60 days after the dissolution.