BANGKOK, Sept 30 — Thailand’s Constitutional Court today ruled that Prayuth Chan o-cha has not exceeded the 8-year tenure as prime minister.
The judges voted 6:3 in favour that Prayuth’s term started on April 6, 2017 — when the constitution was promulgated — and that his tenure should be counted from that year.
In a 25-minute reading of the verdict, the court said Prayuth, 68, can resume his duties after a five-week suspension.
His tenure as prime minister ends in 2025, and he cannot serve a full second term if he wins the next general election which is expected to be held in 2023.
Thailand’s Election Commission said an election must be held by May 7 next year at the latest.
After the court’s verdict, Prayuth said he would make a great effort to transform the kingdom.
“One of the most important aspects is to upgrade the major infrastructure of the country to complete — roads, railways, airports, ports and other projects that are fundamental in shaping the future of the country and digital infrastructure that will help create more opportunities for people across the country in various fields, whether it be trading, learning, etc., with access to the online system thoroughly,” he said in a statement.
On August 24, the Constitutional Court suspended Prayuth from official duties after it decided to hear a petition from the opposition block that sought a review to see if he had exceeded his eight-year term limit.
The opposition Pheu Thai party said Prayuth’s time spent after he took power in the 2014 military coup should count towards the eight-year term and he had now reached the limit.
However, Prayuth’s supporters said his tenure started when the 2017 constitution was instituted while some even said that it should be after the 2019 general election.
Thailand’s 2017 constitution limits any prime minister from serving more than eight years in total.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Constitutional Court and its offices have been declared restricted areas from 7pm Thursday night until 6am on Monday. Police said 300 personnel were deployed around the court to maintain peace and order.
At least two anti-government groups were planning to gather in Bangkok's central business district on Friday as the court reads its verdict.
— Bernama
