Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said his decision to dissolve the House of Representatives was taken only after the opposition People’s Party (PP) publicly called for such a move, rejecting claims that it was meant to evade parliamentary scrutiny.
Speaking during an online interview on Monday, Anutin said accusations that the dissolution was aimed at avoiding a no-confidence debate were unfounded, as no censure motion had been formally submitted at the time. He stated that the draft royal decree to dissolve the House was submitted at around 10pm, hours after the opposition made its demand.
Earlier that day, PP leader Natthaphong Rueangpanyawut had urged the prime minister to dissolve parliament following a joint sitting that approved a new rule allowing a charter amendment bill to pass with a simple majority, provided at least one-third of senators voted.
Anutin also denied allegations that he had betrayed the opposition, stressing that he has no authority over senators. He added that any attempt to influence senators would have led to accusations of political collusion.
Questioning the opposition’s strategy, Anutin asked why a no-confidence motion under Section 151 of the constitution was being pursued instead of a general debate under Section 152. As the leader of a minority government, he said such a move carried serious risks.
He warned that a failed censure vote would have immediately brought down the government, leaving the country without an executive during a period of heightened security concerns. According to Anutin, forming a new government could take at least a month.
Responding to criticism that the administration was exploiting nationalist sentiment or border tensions for political advantage, Anutin said his primary duty was to the nation, not to his political party.