Prime Minister Ousted, Parties Feuding, King Drawn In: Thailand’s Political Crisis Explained

Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 13:47 IST

Thailand’s prime minister has been ousted, two rival blocs are battling to form the next government, and the country’s most popular party is stuck on the sidelines

Anutin Charnvirakul, Bhumjaithai Party's leader and prime ministerial candidate. (REUTERS)

Thailand is facing fresh political turmoil after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was removed from office by the Constitutional Court. The court ruled that she had violated ethical conduct rules in her handling of a border dispute with Cambodia. The ruling brought her government to an abrupt end and has left the country with no clear leadership.

Paetongtarn’s removal has triggered a race among political rivals to form a new government. But the contest is growing increasingly complicated. Her party, Pheu Thai, remains in power in a caretaker capacity. At the same time, Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul has announced that he has secured support from 146 lawmakers to seek premiership. Looming over both is the People’s Party, which currently holds the most seats in Parliament but cannot lead the government itself.

Who Are The Main Political Players In Thailand Right Now?

The Pheu Thai Party, which led the previous government, is closely associated with the Shinawatra family. Paetongtarn is the daughter of Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister and billionaire whose parties have dominated Thai elections for much of the past two decades. Although Pheu Thai has won multiple elections, several of its prime ministers, including Paetongtarn, have been removed from office through either court rulings or military intervention.

The Bhumjaithai Party, previously a junior coalition partner in Paetongtarn’s government, is now attempting to form a government of its own. Its leader, Anutin Charnvirakul, is a conservative politician and businessman who served as Thailand’s health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic. He became a high-profile figure during that period for legalising medical cannabis.

The third key player is the People’s Party, which currently holds 143 seats in the lower house, nearly a third of the total. The party is widely seen as the successor to the Move Forward Party, which won the most votes in the 2023 general election. Move Forward was later dissolved by the Constitutional Court over its pledge to reform Thailand’s strict royal defamation laws. Its leader and prime ministerial candidate was disqualified from politics for ten years. As a result, the People’s Party cannot nominate a prime minister and is barred from leading the government, despite having the largest presence in Parliament.

How Did Anutin Charnvirakul Become A Contender For Prime Minister?

Anutin said on Wednesday that he had secured the support of 146 lawmakers from seven parties and groups. While this falls short of a simple majority in the 500-member lower house, the People’s Party announced that it would support his bid under strict conditions.

According to the Guardian, People’s Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said the support was based on a written agreement. Under this deal, Anutin must commit to dissolving Parliament within four months, initiating constitutional reforms, and excluding the People’s Party from the new cabinet.

Natthaphong said, “Both of these parties have track records, as everyone knows, of not exercising their power in the interests of the people and the country’s benefit." He added, “I think everyone can see that this decision is not for our own popularity but it’s in the interest of finding a solution for the country."

As reported by Bloomberg, the People’s Party has said it will not join the new cabinet but will allow Anutin’s temporary administration to function in order to enable fresh elections.

What Is Pheu Thai Doing To Stop Anutin?

Shortly after Anutin’s alliance was made public, the Pheu Thai Party submitted a request to Thailand’s King Maha Vajiralongkorn to dissolve Parliament and call for early elections. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said, “We decided to hand power back to the people to decide. But this is a royal prerogative."

It remains unclear whether a caretaker government has the authority to make such a request. Legal experts are divided, and any decision by the King must be published in the Royal Gazette to take effect. If the request is accepted, an election would need to be held within 45 to 60 days. If it is rejected, Parliament could vote to confirm Anutin as prime minister as early as Friday.

Pheu Thai’s move has been interpreted as a last-ditch effort to block Anutin from taking office.

Why Can’t The People’s Party Form A Government?

The People’s Party is the current political vehicle of lawmakers from the dissolved Move Forward Party. Move Forward had won the most seats in the 2023 general election but was dissolved by the Constitutional Court over its proposal to reform Thailand’s lese-majesty law, which criminalises criticism of the monarchy. The party’s leader, Pita Limjaroenrat, was banned from politics for ten years.

As a result, the People’s Party has no eligible prime ministerial candidate and is unable to lead a government, even though it holds the largest bloc of seats in Parliament. This has placed the party in the role of kingmaker, able to determine who forms the government, but unable to form one itself.

What Happens If Anutin Becomes PM?

Anutin has agreed to the People’s Party’s conditions, including calling new elections within four months. He said, “The party has cooperated and made sacrifices in finding a solution for Thailand during a period of crises."

Even if Parliament confirms him, Anutin would lead a minority government that depends entirely on the support of the People’s Party. That support could be withdrawn at any time if the agreed conditions are not met.

Natthaphong warned, “There is a risk that there would be a return of the old coalition which has failed to run the country in the last two years, and a risk of the return of the coup maker as prime minister."

Could This Crisis Drag On?

Some observers believe that the current arrangement could worsen the situation. In a statement to Bloomberg, Napon Jatusripitak, acting coordinator of the Thailand Studies Program at ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, said, “Even though the move by the People’s Party is branded as an attempt to resolve a deadlock, in a sense, it’s creating the chaos we’re seeing."

Thailand’s economy is also feeling the strain. As reported by Bloomberg, the government has lowered its growth forecast for the year to 2 per cent, lagging behind regional peers like Indonesia and the Philippines. The Thai baht fell by 0.1 per cent against the US dollar, and 10-year bond yields dipped slightly following the latest political developments.

With both a parliamentary vote and a possible royal decision pending, Thailand remains in political limbo.

News explainers Prime Minister Ousted, Parties Feuding, King Drawn In: Thailand’s Political Crisis Explained

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