Thailand is headed for early elections that favor continued military-backed rule, but a resurgent opposition portends a highly contentious election process and potential unrest, and has implications for alignment between China and the United States. On March 20, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha dissolved the House of Representatives via a government decree endorsed by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, paving the way for early elections that are set for May 14. Prayuth is seeking a return to office and heads the upstart Ruam Thai Sang Chart (RTSC) party, which splintered off from the fellow military-backed and incumbent Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) that is led by Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, the PPRP's prime ministerial candidate and former longtime Prayuth ally.