Thai Constitution 2017 Sets Strict Conditions for Vote of No Confidence Against Government

Key summary

Under Thailand's 2017 Constitution, a vote of no confidence against the Prime Minister or ministers requires signatures from at least one-fifth of all sitting MPs. If passed by more than half of total MPs, individual ministers must resign immediately; if the Prime Minister is voted out, the entire cabinet falls and a new government must be formed. The constitution prohibits the Prime Minister from dissolving parliament once a no-confidence motion has been introduced unless the motion is withdrawn or the government is voted on with confidence. Such votes can occur only once per parliamentary term.