Thailand Court suspends Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha

• 25 Aug 2022

On 24th August 2022, Thailand's Constitutional Court suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha from office until it rules on a petition filed by opposition parties. In the meanwhile, a caretaker will be appointed to lead the government.

• This followed after the court agreed unanimously to hear a case brought by opposition parties.

Opposition Parties’ Claim

• They argue that Prayut has reached the end of his eight-year term limit as prime minister. Thailand’s military-drafted constitution was promulgated in 2017 after a referendum that limits prime ministers to eight years in office cumulatively.
• Prayuth first awarded himself the prime minister post in 2014, after staging a military coup. The opposition argues that Prayuth’s years as premier started in August 2014, when he received the royal endorsement signed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Ruling Party’s Stand

• The ruling party contends that Prayuth’s term started in 2019 when he was elected to the premiership after the first general election held under the latest constitution.

Role of Constitutional Court

• It is not the first time the Constitutional Court has played a role in Thai politics -- it cancelled the results of general election in 2006 and 2014.