Constitutional Court decision: Thailand’s prime minister suspended

Thailand’s constitutional court has temporarily suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from office. In the next step, it wants to decide whether the head of government has reached the maximum permitted term of office or not.

Excitement in front of the Constitutional Court: Dozens of journalists try to get a note from the press spokesman with the court’s statement. The content comes as a surprise to many: Thailand’s constitutional court temporarily suspends Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha – until the court has decided on an application from the largest opposition party. This calls for the head of government to be dismissed because Prayut has already reached the maximum permitted term of office this week, according to the opposition.

“I am pleased that the Constitutional Court decided by a vote of five to four to suspend Prime Minister Prayut,” a man who was waiting outside the court told Reuters. “The court must now find out whether he can remain in office. After all, he has been prime minister for eight years. I am happy because we are getting closer to democracy.”

Prayut led a military coup in 2014

The term of office of the prime minister in Thailand is limited to eight years. The opposition party argues that Prayut Chan-O-Cha has been in office since 2014. Back then, he led a military coup that overthrew the elected government. Prayut took over government affairs as head of the military junta.

The 68-year-old Prime Minister’s supporters argue that his tenure only began in 2019, when he was formally elected Prime Minister in a general election. According to a recent survey, two-thirds of Thais want the head of government to be removed before the end of this month. Therefore, many demonstrators were out and about on the streets of the capital today.

hope for a new beginning

“I am very happy with the decision. General Prayut has been in office for a long time and had no vision for the development of the country,” says one of them. “But I’m not sure yet whether this is good for us or not. Because sometimes the powerful play a game. But I’m glad the court suspended Prayut for now.”

“I’m satisfied to a certain extent, but I think the whole cabinet should have gone,” explained another. “Let’s find someone better suited to be prime minister. There are many good people in Thailand, there aren’t just three who can lead the country.” The demonstrator is alluding to the interim president.

Prayuth confidante leads government for now

The deputy prime minister should be in charge of official business until the court decides, explained the other deputy prime minister. Prawit Wongsuwan is Prayuth’s close ally and part of the military clique that initiated the 2014 coup. A government spokesman said Prayut respected the court’s decision. The Prime Minister now has 15 days to react to the decision.

As further protests are expected in the course of the court decision, the police in Bangkok have closed roads, erected barricades with barbed wire and secured the government seat with large shipping containers. It is still unclear when the court will make its final decision on the length of Prayut Chan-O-Cha’s term.