Surprise move by constitutional court throws Thai politics into confusion
Thailand’s prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, has been suspended from office by the constitutional court while it considers whether he has overstayed the limits of his term., should have left office this week. Under Thailand’s constitution, prime ministers are barred from ruling for more than eight years.
The deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, 77, a former army chief and close ally of Prayuth, will act as interim leader, according to the government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri. Prayuth has been given 15 days to respond to the petition. It is not clear when a verdict will be issued. Prayuth’s supporters argue that he has not yet reached his term limit because the constitution was not introduced until 2017 and therefore should not be applied retrospectively. Others argue the time limit should be counted from 2019,If the court rules in Prayuth’s favour, this could allow him to remain in office until 2025 or 2027 – depending on next year’s elections, which are due to be held before May 2023.
Over recent days, protest groups have gathered in Bangkok, calling for him to stand down. “We’re not just content with suspending Prayuth from duty. We want parliament dissolved and a snap election,” an activist who identified herself as Manee told Reuters. “We’re not happy.
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