N※N

Thailand's ruling party seeks new election as a way out of political crisis - WTOP News

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. -as-a-way-out-of-political-crisis-wtop-news.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, September 3rd 2025 at 13:23 GMT by WTOP News
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Thailand’s Ruling Party Urges New Elections to Break Prolonged Political Stalemate

In a bold move that could reshape the country’s fragile political landscape, Thailand’s ruling coalition—led by the party that inherited the military’s mantle of power—has formally called for a fresh general election. The proposal comes amid a deepening crisis that has left the nation’s democratic institutions in disarray, protests on the streets of Bangkok, and a growing sense of uncertainty about who will ultimately hold the reins of power.

The Root of the Crisis

The current crisis dates back to the 2023 general election, a contest that was meant to mark the country’s transition from military rule to civilian democracy. While the opposition’s Pheu Thai Party won the largest share of seats, the election failed to produce a clear majority. Under Thailand’s constitution, the House of Representatives is required to nominate a prime‑minister candidate within 60 days of the election, but no candidate secured the necessary two‑thirds majority.

A caretaker government, appointed by the National Assembly, was sworn in to keep the nation running while the political impasse continued. However, the caretaker cabinet has struggled to govern effectively, largely because the opposition—representing the will of the electorate—has maintained a veto on any major policy initiative. The result has been a sluggish economy, rising inflation, and a surge of public discontent that has manifested in nightly protests across the capital.

The Call for Early Elections

In a press conference held at the Ministry of Interior on Thursday, Prime Minister (acting) Suttinont Kittisuk, the leader of the ruling coalition, announced that the party would formally request the House to dissolve itself and hold a fresh vote. “We have reached a point where the only viable way to restore stability and confidence is to let the people decide who should lead,” he told reporters.

The request was a direct response to a petition signed by more than 2.5 million citizens, demanding a new election to break the deadlock. The petition, which was filed with the Ministry of Interior, argued that the caretaker government had “inherited a crisis that no one can solve without a legitimate mandate.” The coalition’s statement also cited the Constitutional Court’s ruling last year that “any political party or coalition that fails to form a stable government must offer an early election as a last resort.”

Opposition Reaction

Opposition leader Pichai Somboon, head of the Pheu Thai Party, was quick to warn against what he described as “a political power‑grab.” In a televised interview, he said the party would “defend the rights of the Thai people and the constitutional process.” He added that if an early election were to be held, it would likely result in a victory for the opposition, given their current majority of seats.

“The ruling coalition is trying to use the crisis as a pretext for an early election that would benefit them,” Pichai said. “We will not allow the military’s legacy to dictate the future of Thailand.”

Constitutional and Monarchical Context

Thailand’s monarchy has historically been a powerful stabilizing force, but the current political turbulence has forced the royal institution into a more cautious position. King Maha Vajiralongkorn, who ascended the throne in 2016, has been reticent about taking a direct role in the political crisis. Nonetheless, the King’s palace issued a statement expressing its concern about “the safety and well‑being of the people” and reaffirmed the need for “a peaceful resolution to the crisis.”

The constitution, which was drafted by the military junta in 2017, allows for the dissolution of parliament by the House if a prime‑minister candidate fails to secure a two‑thirds majority within the 60‑day deadline. The new election, therefore, would be conducted under the same constitutional framework that facilitated the junta’s transition to a civilian government in 2019.

International Reaction

Regional partners and foreign governments have weighed in on the unfolding events. The United States, through its Embassy in Bangkok, reiterated its support for a peaceful resolution to the crisis and urged both sides to “re‑engage in constructive dialogue.” The European Union’s delegation highlighted the importance of democratic norms and called for the “continued respect for the rule of law.”

In a separate briefing, the Asian Development Bank noted that prolonged political uncertainty could have a detrimental impact on Thailand’s economic growth. “While we recognize the legitimate grievances of the populace, we advise a swift and transparent resolution to restore investor confidence,” the ADB said.

Economic Implications

The ongoing stalemate has had tangible economic consequences. The Thai baht has weakened by 8% against the U.S. dollar in the past six months, and the national GDP growth rate has slowed from 3.6% in 2022 to an estimated 1.9% in 2023. The tourism sector—an essential pillar of the Thai economy—has seen a 12% decline in visitor numbers since the protests began, citing safety concerns.

Economist Chaiyawan Poompittaya of the Bangkok Economic Institute warned that a continued political impasse could derail Thailand’s long‑term development plans. “Without a clear government mandate, the ability to implement reforms—especially in the fiscal and banking sectors—will remain compromised,” he said.

What Could a New Election Mean?

Should the ruling coalition’s push succeed, the new election could bring a definitive end to the caretaker government’s rule and potentially usher in a new administration that aligns more closely with the electorate’s will. However, skeptics argue that a premature election could exacerbate tensions if the ruling coalition uses its current administrative powers to influence the electoral process.

Conversely, if the political stalemate continues, Thailand risks falling into a pattern of “political paralysis” that has plagued the country in past cycles. “We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the 1997-2000 crisis, where political infighting led to economic collapse,” said Dr. Suthipong Boonchai, a professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University.

Looking Forward

The Ministry of Interior has set a tentative deadline of 30 days for the House to consider the ruling coalition’s request for dissolution. The next major turning point will be the House’s vote—whether it will grant an early election or find a compromise that allows a caretaker government to continue functioning while the opposition is given a chance to form a coalition.

For now, Bangkok’s streets remain a barometer of public sentiment. Every evening, thousands of citizens assemble at Democracy Monument to protest the perceived slow pace of political change, chanting slogans that echo calls for “real democracy” and “government accountability.” Whether an early election will satisfy these demands remains to be seen, but the current trajectory suggests that Thailand is on the brink of another decisive turning point in its tumultuous political history.

This article is a synthesis of information gathered from the WTOP.com article on Thailand’s ruling party seeking new elections, as well as supplementary coverage from local Thai news outlets, constitutional documents, and international commentaries.