BANGKOK, Sept 4, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Thai royal officials rejected a request by the ruling party to dissolve parliament, the country's acting prime minister said Thursday, clearing the way for a vote that could select his successor.

A power vacuum has consumed Thailand's top office since last Friday, when the Constitutional Court sacked prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over an ethics breach.

A coalition of opposition MPs has backed conservative construction magnate Anutin Charnvirakul to take the top office, with a vote scheduled for Friday at around 10:00 am (0300 GMT).

But Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai party -- still governing in a caretaking capacity -- had attempted to dissolve the legislature and block the vote, submitting its request to the palace.

Caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on his Facebook page that due to "disputed legal issues" the Office of the Privy Council had informed him it was "inappropriate to present the draft of the Royal Decree to His Majesty at this time".