BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand’s ruling Pheu Thai party moved on Tuesday to dissolve parliament, which could trigger a general election, as the country’s main opposition said it had not yet decided whether to back any of the two coalitions attempting to form the next government.
Local media outlet Matichon, citing Pheu Thai secretary-general Sorawong Thienthong, said the process to dissolve parliament was underway, just days after a court dismissed Paetongtarn Shinawatra due to an ethics violation, plunging Southeast Asia’s second largest economy into turmoil.
A Pheu Thai source told Reuters that the party had taken a decision to dissolve parliament but was not aware of whether the required documents had been submitted to relevant authorities. The source asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.
Sorawong, the government spokesperson and the top aide to the acting prime minister did not immediately respond to separate requests for confirmation from Reuters.
There are conflicting opinions among law experts in Thailand as to whether a caretaker government has the authority to seek house dissolution.
The move came as People’s Party, which main opposition group that Pheu Thai and the Bhumjaithai party are looking to woo in a bid to form the next administration, said it had not taken a call on which camp to back.
People’s Party official Pakornwut Udompipatskul told reporters the party’s executives would make the decision on Wednesday. The party, which has nearly a third of house seats, has said it will not join any government.
(Reporting by Bangkok newsroom; Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Martin Petty)
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