Following three months in office, Thailand's prime minister dissolved the legislature on Friday, according to a royal decree, setting the stage for early next year general elections.
The action was taken earlier than anticipated and coincides with fresh, fatal skirmishes along the disputed border between Thailand and Cambodia.
"The House of Representatives is dissolved to hold a new general election for members of the House," stated the Royal Gazette proclamation.
In September, Anutin Charnvirakul, a member of the conservative Bhumjaithai party, took over as prime minister following the court's removal of his predecessor due to an ethical transgression.
He promised earlier this year to call an election by dissolving the lower house and holding a ballot by early 2026.

It was generally anticipated that Anutin would postpone dissolving parliament until after Christmas.
The action coincides with renewed violence on the Cambodian border, where battles have displaced some 600,000 people, largely in Thailand, and killed at least 20.
According to a report from Anutin, the Royal Gazette stated, "The government cannot continue administering state affairs continuously, efficiently, and with stability since the administration is a minority government and domestic political conditions are fraught with multiple challenges."
"Therefore, the appropriate solution is to dissolve the House of Representatives and hold a new general election."

"Power to the people": According to Thai law, elections must take place 45 to 60 days following the dissolution of the legislature, therefore polls are anticipated in late January or early February.
Anutin stated that he "would like to return power to the people" in a Facebook post late on Thursday. This is a well-known indication in the kingdom that a prime minister plans to dissolve parliament and hold new elections.
With coalition support contingent on the dissolution of parliament, the cannabis-supporting conservative became the kingdom's third leader in two years and assumed office in September.

In apparent fury over the actions of former Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra during a border dispute with nearby Cambodia, Anutin left his alliance with their Pheu Thai Party this summer.
Anutin has faced challenges during his three months in power, including the death of the previous queen Sirikit in October, attacks on fraud hubs in Myanmar that sent hundreds of people across the border into Thailand, and an intensifying military war with Cambodia.