Ahead of Thailand's elections next year, the constitutional court has suspended the prime minister. After eight years, Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha has not stepped down or announced new elections. The opponents approached the court in this matter. Prayut has been ordered to be suspended by the court.
Now a caretaker prime minister will be appointed to run the government. He will hold the responsibility of the government until the next election. Deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan is expected to be given this responsibility.
What was the case?
The opposition had raised the issue of Prime Minister Prayuth's tenure. The opposition said that his eight-year term had been completed. Therefore, the opposition demanded that he should leave his post and announce a new election. When Prayuth refused to step down, the opposition approached the court. The hearing was going on for several days. Four of the five-judge bench opined that Prayuth's tenure has ended.
In 2014 took over the post of Prime Minister
Prayut came to power after a coup in May 2014. He was the army chief at that time. Prayuth first assumed the post of Prime Minister on 24 August 2014 under the Provisional Constitution. The Constitution was amended on 6 April 2017. It was stated that the tenure of any Prime Minister should not exceed eight years. On this basis, his supporters say, Prayuth's tenure as prime minister began in 2017 and will end in 2025.
Allegations of corruption
Thailand's economy was in dire straits during the Prayuth government. The country was heavily indebted. Even during Corona, the government could not handle the situation. The opposition also accused the Prayuth government of failing to curb corruption. Only then, in July 2022, a no-confidence motion was brought against the Prime Minister. Prayut was victorious at that time.