The King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, has signed a royal decree to dissolve the lower house of parliament, a decision that paves the way for a general election in the early part of next year. The decree, published this Friday in the Official Gazette and endorsed by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, justifies the measure by citing the current administration's status as a 'minority government.' The government argued of risks of political and economic instability. According to the official text, the executive branch came to power in September 2025 as a coalition of several parties that failed to secure a majority in the House of Representatives, which limited its ability to govern. The decree also warns that the critical challenges facing the country require a stable government, and that continuing with a minority administration would pose risks of political instability, with a potential negative impact on the economic system and international confidence. 'The appropriate solution is to dissolve the House of Representatives and hold new general elections, returning the power of political decision to the people,' the document states. Under the Thai Constitution, the Election Commission must organize the general elections within a period of 45 to 60 days from the approval of the royal decree.
