Thailand dissolves parliament ahead of May general election
Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn on May 20 issued a royal decree on the dissolution of the country's parliament, paving the way for a general election to be held in May. The decree took effect on the same day.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: //www.canberratimes.com.au/)
Hanoi (VNA) – Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkornon May 20 issued a royal decree on the dissolution of the country's parliament, paving theway for a general election to be held in May. The decree took effect on the same day.
According to the Thai constitution, polls must be held between 45 and 60 daysafter the dissolution of parliament.
The exact date of theelection will be announced by the Election Commission and published in theRoyal Gazette.
Although the election date has not been determined, Thai DeputyPrime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam recently said that the upcoming election willlikely take place on May 14.
The election will be a fierce competition between Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party and thecurrent ruling coalition.
ﷺ Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha fellbehind his main election rival Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, in anew opinion poll./.
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