THAILAND’S caretaker government faced fresh uncertainty today as rival parties pushed competing solutions to the political crisis triggered by last week’s dismissal of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

The Pheu Thai party, which leads the caretaker administration, announced it had asked King Maha Vajiralongkorn to dissolve Parliament and call fresh elections instead of holding a vote in the House of Representatives to choose a new leader.

While only the king can issue such a decree, the Council of State has suggested that a caretaker government can request dissolution if Parliament reaches a deadlock in its vote for a prime minister.

Ms Paetongtarn was dismissed by the Constitutional Court for breaching ethics laws after speaking to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen about a border dispute that sparked deadly clashes in July.

She was the second Pheu Thai prime minister forced out in two years, after her predecessor Srettha Thavisin was removed over ethical violations.

The opposition People’s Party, the largest in parliament, said its politicians would back tycoon Anutin Charnvirakul of the Bhumjaithai party as prime minister.

Party leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut said that Pheu Thai had failed to govern effectively.

But its support is contingent on conditions that include Mr Anutin committing to dissolving the House within four months and calling new elections, as well as holding a referendum on constitutional reform to pave the way for a more democratic charter.

Mr Anutin, who is the heir to a construction fortune, said that he was committed to the conditions.

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai urged a swift solution, warning of economic dangers if the crisis drags on.

“With all of these problems, our lawmakers think we should return power to the people and let the people decide,” he said.