“Thai Royal Officials Reject Parliament Dissolution Bid”

Thai royal officials have declined the ruling party’s plea to dissolve parliament, as stated by the acting prime minister of the country yesterday. This paves the way for a crucial vote to determine his successor, amidst a power vacuum that has engulfed Thailand’s highest political position since the Constitutional Court ousted prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra last Friday for violating ethics regulations. A group of opposition MPs has thrown their support behind conservative construction tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul to assume the top post, and the vote is slated for today. Despite efforts by Paetongtarn’s Pheu Thai party, which is currently overseeing the government in a caretaker role, to dissolve the parliament and prevent the vote by submitting a request to the palace, the request was turned down.