ISTANBUL

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.