Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said today he has already submitted a Royal Decree to HM the King to dissolve the House of Representatives, paving the way for a general election expected in early May.

“Wait until the Royal Decree is published in the Royal Gazette on March 20,” he said when asked when the House dissolution will take effect.

An election is constitutionally required to be held after 45 days but within 60 days following the House dissolution.  The Election Commission is mandated to announce a date for the election within five days after the House is dissolved.

It has been speculated that the election will take place either on May 7 or May 14 which is a Sunday.

 The current four-year term of the House will end on March 23.  Thailand had its last general election on March 24, 2019.