Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Phongsa announced on Wednesday a timetable regarding the reorganization of parliament, tentatively planning to dissolve parliament on January 31 next year and to hold the general election and referendum on March 29.
Phongsa stated on the 15th that the government will fulfill its commitment under the memorandum of understanding signed with the largest opposition party in parliament, the People's Party, namely to dissolve parliament four months after the government takes office; since the new government officially assumed office on October 1, the House of Representatives must be dissolved by January 31 next year, and the general election must be held within 60 days. This implies the appropriate election date should be March 29 next year.
Regarding the election date, Phongsa emphasized that the new constitution must pass its final review by December 20, leaving the parliamentary speaker, prime minister, and election commission 10 days to determine the date for a national referendum. The referendum should also be held on March 29 to save the approximately 6 billion baht (779 million ringgit) required for holding a separate referendum.
Former Thai Prime Minister Phethon Than was previously removed from office by the Constitutional Court due to a phone call leak scandal. The prime minister position is now held by Anutin, leader of the Bhumjaithai Party and former deputy prime minister.
Recently, the Anutin government approved a 44 billion baht (5.715 billion ringgit) consumption stimulus measure aimed at boosting the weak economy and winning public support ahead of the general election.