• Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai party moves to dissolve parliament after political deadlock.
• Acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai submitted a royal decree seeking a snap election.
• Opposition People's Party backs rival candidate Anutin Charnvirakul, complicating Pheu Thai's efforts.
• Royal officials rejected Pheu Thai's bid to dissolve parliament citing legal concerns.
• Parliament to vote for a new prime minister amid ongoing political chaos.

Thailand's ruling party, Pheu Thai, has moved to dissolve parliament as political tensions escalated following the Constitutional Court's removal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an ethics violation. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai submitted a royal decree on September 3, seeking approval for snap elections, amid reports of support for rival candidate Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai party from the People's Party, which holds nearly a third of parliamentary seats, according to SCMP and Jakarta Post.

However, the attempt to dissolve parliament was thwarted when royal officials rejected the draft decree, citing unresolved legal issues regarding the authority of a caretaker government to initiate such actions. Acting PM Phumtham confirmed the setback, highlighting the complexities surrounding parliamentary dissolution and the approaching vote for a new prime minister, as reported by Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

In a parallel development, the People's Party has pledged to support Anutin against Pheu Thai, further complicating the political landscape as they demand parliamentary dissolution within four months. This conflicted scenario mirrors the historical challenges within Thailand's political framework, where power struggles between elected officials and the judiciary frequently lead to instability, according to Bangkok Post and Reuters.

The backdrop of this political tumult features the longstanding influence of the Shinawatra family and its ongoing tensions with Thailand's elite, raising questions about the future direction of governance in the country. Observers anticipate a parliamentary vote for the new prime minister on September 6, adding urgency to the unfolding drama, based on information from Reuters and Al Jazeera.