Thailand's parliament has been dissolved as the country gears up for a general election in May.
An order signed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn was published in the Royal Gazette on Monday, paving the way for what is expected to be a fiercely contested battle for power in the country of some 72 million people.
The four-year term of the current parliament is scheduled to end on Thursday.
A date for the vote has yet to be finalized, but it must be held within 60 days of dissolution.
The United Thai Nation Party of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a former military general, will face off with the Pheu Thai party led by Paetongtarn Shinawatra.
Paetongtarn, 36, is the daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was deposed in a military coup in 2006, and the niece of Yingluck Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2014 coup led by Prayut.
Another contender is the Move Forward Party led by 42-year-old businessman and politician Pita Limjaroenrat.
Recent polls show Paetongtarn ahead in the race for the coveted post of prime minister, followed by Pita and Prayut, and her party is confident of securing a majority of the 500 seats up for grabs.
Source: Anadolu Agency