Prayut returns PM’s car to Government House

Thailand’s now former PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha, has returned the prime minister’s car and three motorcade vehicles to Government House. Prayut’s driver returned the vehicles. From now on, Prayut is using his car, a Mercedes Benz, to get around.

This news comes after Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prayut from his position as PM on August 24. Out of the nine people on the voting committee, five voted to suspend Prayut from his duties.

The court is deciding whether or not time is up on Prayut’s premiership. According to Thailand’s constitution, “The Prime Minister shall not hold office for more than eight years in total.”

The 68 year old’s supporters say his premiership started in 2017 when HM the King ratified a new constitution drafted by the military junta government, meaning he can still serve as PM until 2025.

Prayut’s opposition says he should step down today, eight years after he became PM in August 2014 – three months after he led a coup against the elected government of Yingluck Shinawatra.

Earlier this week, former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called for suspended PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to do the right thing and leave the political arena with dignity. Thaksin said in a Clubhouse chat…

“Trust me (Prayut), I am an elder brother who has gone through all this, and the days ahead for you are not going to be smooth, you may be happy only on the day you walk back (if the court allows) but thereafter it will be a living hell.”

The court confirmed that Prayut can continue his serving as Minister of Defense. After being removed from his position as PM, Prayut Chan-o-cha didn’t miss a beat and continued to quietly show up to work as Minister of Defense.

SOURCE: Bangkok Biz News | Nation Thailand