Thailand’s constitutional court has suspended Prayuth Chan-ocha, the country’s prime minister, from office.
The suspension was announced on Wednesday after the court heard a petition to review his legally mandated eight-year term limit.
Prayuth had ruled as head of a military council after he overthrew an elected government in 2014, and became a civilian prime minister in 2019, following an election held under a military-drafted constitution.
In a petition, the main opposition party, argued that Prayuth’s tenure as head of a military junta in 2014 should count towards his constitutionally stipulated eight-year term.
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According to Reuters, they also asked that Prayuth should be made to leave office this month, but the court is yet to deliver a final ruling on the petition.
However, some supporters argue his term started in 2017, when a new constitution took effect, or after the 2019 elections, meaning that he should be allowed to stay in power until 2025 or 2027, if elected.
The court in a statement said Prayuth has 15 days to respond, adding that a panel of judges ruled five to four in favour of his suspension, starting from Wednesday.
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“The court has considered the petition and related documents and sees that the facts from the petition are cause for questioning as demanded,” it said.
In his absence, Prawit Wongsuwan, deputy prime minister, is expected to take over as interim leader.
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