We may dissolve the House : Pheu Thai

Worrawat Eua-apinyakul claimed Pheu Thai had enough votes to form government but with only a slim majority.

Pracharaj Party leader Snoh Thienthong was co-ordinating with other parties to ensure they have more votes. "If we cannot, then a House dissolution is an alternative," he said.

Former constitution drafter Kanin Bunsuwan said the caretaker PM could issue a Royal decree to dissolve the House. He said the caretaker PM or caretaker Cabinet had full authority to work and issue any Royal decree, including one to dissolve the House.

In regard to party-list MPs from political parties that were dissolved, Kanin said they had full authority to carry out their duties 60 days after party dissolution.

There have been legal doubts over whether caretaker PM Chaovarat Chanweerakul could dissolve the House and whether House Speaker Chai Chidchob might lose his status as an MP given he is a party-list MP from the disbanded People Power.

Meanwhile, Parliament President Chai Chidchob said the caretaker prime minister had no justification to dissolve the House after a royal command is issued to convene an extraordinary parliamentary session.

Chai was commenting on speculation that caretaker prime minister Chaovarat would dissolve the House to prevent the Democrats from taking over. Chai said that though the law permitted a caretaker premier to dissolve the House, no such PM would do it once a royal command has come through.

The parliament chief said His Majesty had not yet handed down a command to open a special session for the MPs to elect a new prime minister.

Once the royal command comes forth, he will tell the MPs to attend a meeting within three days, Chai said.