On Monday, the Royal Gazette announced that Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has given his approval for the dissolution of parliament, paving the way for elections to be held in May. The election must take place within 45 to 60 days of the dissolution of the house, which has taken effect immediately.
The decree stated that this decision returns political power to the people and allows for the continuation of democratic government, with the King as the head of state. Although the date for the election has yet to be announced, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has stated that it will likely be held on May 14 if the house was dissolved on Monday.
The upcoming election is expected to showcase a long-running political battle between the Shinawatra family, who are billionaires, and the country's conservative pro-military establishment. According to a poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter and niece of ousted former premiers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra respectively, is the front runner to be the next prime minister, with her support jumping 10 points to 38.2% in the poll released over the weekend.
Paetongtarn has expressed confidence in winning the election by a landslide and aims to prevent any political maneuvering against her party, which has previously been removed from office by judicial rulings and military coups. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has been in power since a 2014 coup against the Pheu Thai government, was ranked third with 15.65% support in the NIDA poll.
The decree stated that this decision returns political power to the people and allows for the continuation of democratic government, with the King as the head of state. Although the date for the election has yet to be announced, Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has stated that it will likely be held on May 14 if the house was dissolved on Monday.
The upcoming election is expected to showcase a long-running political battle between the Shinawatra family, who are billionaires, and the country's conservative pro-military establishment. According to a poll by the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter and niece of ousted former premiers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra respectively, is the front runner to be the next prime minister, with her support jumping 10 points to 38.2% in the poll released over the weekend.
Paetongtarn has expressed confidence in winning the election by a landslide and aims to prevent any political maneuvering against her party, which has previously been removed from office by judicial rulings and military coups. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has been in power since a 2014 coup against the Pheu Thai government, was ranked third with 15.65% support in the NIDA poll.
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