South Dovani

[Wu Han]

Nationwide protests erupt as Supreme Court issues stay on President Anong's dissolution order
14 February 5647

Udon Nakhon – Widespread protests and violent clashes between police and demonstrators have erupted across South Dovani's major cities following the Supreme Court's decision to issue a stay on President Anong Sereevattanakul's dissolution order for the National Assembly. The Court's ruling has ignited intense public anger, particularly among the supporters of opposition parties who view the ruling as an attempt to block early elections and preserve what remains of the original fourth Thanomchai government.

President Anong's order, announced earlier in the week, would have triggered general elections within two months, fulfilling a central campaign promise of the president. The opposition, of which Anong is a leader, has been unified in its call for early elections for nearly two years since the Supreme Court's dissolution of two political parties, which left one-sixth of parliamentary seats vacant, and by the death of Prime Minister Prasert Thanomchai.

In its ruling granting the stay, the Supreme Court argued that the ongoing state of emergency in the eastern provinces restricts the president's constitutional authority to dissolve the National Assembly before the end of its scheduled term. According to the Court, conducting national elections while emergency security powers remain in force could undermine constitutional order and jeopardize public safety.

The decision was immediately condemned by opposition leaders, who accused the Court of acting in concert with conservative and nationalist political forces to delay elections that polling suggests they would lose. Justice Party (JP) leader Kawin Kittisakchai described the ruling as a “constitutional coup,” alleging that judicial intervention is being used to preserve the influence of elite-aligned parties within the existing National Assembly.

Large protests were reported in Udon Nakhon, Khattaya, Rattanakosin, Na Sap, Kanchaburi, and several other major cities throughout the evening. While many demonstrations began peacefully, confrontations between protesters and riot police escalated in multiple districts as crowds swelled in central squares and outside government buildings. Protesters erected barricades, set fire to refuse bins, and clashed with security forces attempting to disperse crowds. In some areas, rioting and looting was reported. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons in several locations, and dozens of arrests have been reported.

Late tonight, President Anong addressed the nation in a televised statement, calling for calm while sharply criticizing the Court’s decision. Without directly attacking the judiciary, she emphasized that the demand for elections reflected the will of the public and urged citizens to continue expressing their views peacefully.

“Our democracy cannot remain frozen indefinitely,” Anong said. “The people deserve the opportunity to choose their representatives, and I remain committed to ensuring that their voices are heard through free and fair elections.”

The president also appealed for restraint among demonstrators, warning that violence would only deepen the political crisis. At the same time, she reiterated that her administration would continue pursuing all constitutional avenues to restore the electoral process.

Defence Minister General Puran Chaiyawan of the Strong Nation Party separately addressed the national media, calling for calm while announcing that the military would assist local law enforcement authorities in restoring order. Under his directive, units of the National People’s Army have been placed on standby to support the National Police Force in major cities should the unrest intensify further.

“Those responsible for violence and destruction will be arrested and prosecuted,” Gen. Puran said during a televised briefing. “Citizens have the right to express their views peacefully, but rioting and attacks on property, public or private, will not be tolerated. I urge everyone to return home and allow the authorities to restore order.”

The defence minister also warned that the protests could create additional security risks amid the ongoing insurgency in the eastern provinces.

“Given the upsurge in UPM violence, we cannot be certain that these large gatherings will not become targets for terrorists,” Gen. Puran stated. “While the National Police and the People’s Army will do everything possible to protect civilians, the scale of unrest combined with the security situation in the east has stretched our resources thin. Those thinking of attending protests should be aware of the very real risks that comes with them.”

It is yet to be seen what move President Anong will take next. It is clear, through her address, that she intends to leverage public pressure and the political legitimacy of her historic electoral mandate to increase pressure on both the remnant governing parties and the judiciary. How effective this strategy will prove remains uncertain, however, particularly given the government’s demonstrated ability to withstand sustained protest movements, such as those that followed the NERI Files scandal.

Some legal analysts have suggested that Anong could attempt to lift or modify the state of emergency in the eastern provinces in order to remove the constitutional grounds cited by the Court, though such a move would carry significant political risks and could complicate the already fragile security situation. Others argue that the president may pursue a more strictly legal strategy, including requesting a full-court review of the stay or challenging the ruling through other judicial mechanisms. According to sources within the presidential administration, Anong has convened a team of jurists and constitutional experts to examine all available avenues for dissolving the National Assembly and holding early elections at the earliest possible opportunity.

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Sue Pracha (สื่อประชา; People's Media) is South Dovani's leading progressive daily newspaper.