BANGKOK, Aug 24(ABC): Thailand’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha from office while it considers a legal challenge that could see him thrown out months before an expected general election.
The court agreed unanimously to hear a case brought by opposition parties who argue Prayut has reached the end of his eight-year term limit as prime minister. Judges also agreed by five votes to four to suspend Prayut from office until the case is decided, the court said in a statement.
“The court considered the petition and supporting documents and deems the facts according to the request indicate reasonable grounds to suspect that there is a case as requested,” the statement said. “Thus, a majority vote (five against four) for (Prayut) to be suspended as prime minister, effective August 24, 2022, until the court issues a verdict.”
The court gave Prayut 15 days to respond to the case against him. Prawit Wongsuwan, one of Prayut’s deputies and another former army chief, will take over as caretaker prime minister while the case is decided. “The current cabinet will continue its duty as normal because General Prayut has not been ousted from his post, only suspended from duty,” said Wissanu Krea-ngam, another deputy prime minister.
Pita Limjaroenrat, leader of the opposition Move Forward Party which was among those that backed the petition, said the country needed fresh leadership. “It is like rowing a boat round the bathtub, going from General Prayut to General Prawit,” Pita told reporters at parliament.