Thailand’s prime minister dissolves parliament ahead of general election in bid to stay in power

Thailand’s parliament was dissolved on March 20, 2023, in a move initiated by Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. It sets the stage for a general election in May, which Prayuth hopes will allow him to seek a fresh mandate to expand his army-backed rule. The election is expected to reignite a long-running political battle between the Pheu Thai party, backed by the billionaire populist Shinawatra family, and the conservative pro-military establishment.