Thailand dissolves House of Representatives for early-year election amid Cambodia border conflict

Key facts

• Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved the House of Representatives after obtaining approval from King Maha Vajiralakorn, with the Royal Gazette publishing the endorsement on Friday.
• The election must be held 45–60 days after the royal endorsement, during which Anutin remains caretaker premier with limited powers.
• The dissolution follows a threatened no-confidence vote by the People’s Party after Bhumjaithai lawmakers backed a constitutional-amendment bill, contrary to the September agreement to hold a referendum on drafting a new constitution.
• Thailand is engaged in large-scale combat with Cambodia over disputed border claims, with more than two dozen reported killed and hundreds of thousands displaced this week.
• US President Donald Trump previously secured a July ceasefire by threatening trade-privilege withdrawal and has renewed peace efforts after the latest flare-up.