The announcement came after the Privy Council reportedly returned a draft royal decree to dissolve the House submitted by caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, citing procedural and legal concerns, according to sources at Government House, reports the Bangkok Post.
The development, reported yesterday afternoon by multiple Thai media outlets, adds a new element of drama to the current political stalemate, as the Pheu Thai Party pushes for an early election to prevent the rival Bhumjaithai Party from forming a government.
Mr Phumtham brushed aside questions when asked about the Privy Council’s decision as he was leaving Government House at about 5:20pm. “No comment,” he said, before walking away.
Mr Phumtham submitted the dissolution decree on Tuesday in his capacity as caretaker prime minister. The move was intended to resolve the political deadlock following the Constitutional Court’s removal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from office last week.
The Privy Council, which is responsible for vetting royal documents and providing advisory opinions to His Majesty the King, returned the draft to the Secretariat of the Cabinet, according to a Government House source.
The accompanying letter stated that the submission did not comply with established procedures for seeking royal assent.
It also noted that the matter was legally contentious, particularly in light of an opinion from Council of State secretary-general Pakorn Nilprapunt, who previously advised that a caretaker government lacks the authority to propose such a decree.
The Secretariat of the Cabinet subsequently informed Mr Phumtham of the Privy Council’s decision and provided him with the official correspondence.
If the House cannot be dissolved, then lawmakers will be able to go ahead with the vote for a new prime minister tomorrow.
The vote would pave the way for Anutin Charnvirakul, the leader of Bhumjaithai, to form a government with the support of the 143-member People’s Party, the largest party in parliament.
The support of the opposition party comes with strict conditions. Most notably, the new prime minister must dissolve the House within four months of presenting its policy statement to hold a general election and a referendum on amending the constitution if one is needed.