Court to decide fate of suspended Thai PM Prayut on September 30

On September 30 at 3pm, Thailand’s Constitutional Court will read the verdict on suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s eight-year term limit.

According to Section 158 of Thailand’s constitution, “The Prime Minister shall not hold office for more than eight years in total, whether or not holding consecutive term.”

Prayut reached his eight-year limit serving as PM in August after becoming the nation’s premier in 2014, a few months after he lead a coup to oust the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra.

However, 68 year old PM Prayut’s supporters argue that his tenure started on April 6, 2017, when HM the King ratified a new constitution drafted by the military junta government. Other Prayut supporters argue that his premiership started as late as June 9, 2019, the date when Prayut began his second four-year term under the new constitution.

The Constitutional Court voted to suspend Prayut from his ministerial duties on August 24 while they reach a verdict on when his tenure starts and ends. The 77 year old Deputy PM Prawit Wonguswan stepped in as acting prime minister until a decision is made on Prayut.

If the court rules that Prayut’s premiership began in 2017 or 2019, Prayut can continue as Prime Minister of Thailand.

Eight days after Prayut’s suspension, he submitted a 30-page document to the Constitutional Court regarding his eight-year term limit for the court’s consideration.

In two weeks, the Constitutional Court will decide on whether Prayut’s premiership began on August 24, 2014; April 6, 2017; or June 9, 2019.

SOURCE: 3PlusNews