Thailand dissolves parliament for crunch election in May

FILE PHOTO: Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha campaigns as the PM candidate for the United Thai Nation Party (Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party) ahead of a general election this year in Bangkok, Thailand, January 9, 2023. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File Photo

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand dissolved its parliament on Monday to clear the way for an election in May, a vote set to reignite a long-running power struggle between a military-backed establishment and a political movement that has dominated elections for two decades.

The Royal Gazette announced that King Maha Vajiralongkorn had endorsed a decree to dissolve parliament, ahead of an election that must be held 45 to 60 days after dissolution.