Thai PM stays in power as court finds no breach in term limits
Add BT as a preferred source
THAILAND’S Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha will remain in office after the highest court ruled he hadn’t breached a constitutional term limit, handing him a victory as political jockeying increases ahead of elections that must be called by March.
The constitutional court said on Friday (Sep 30) the 8-year term limit can’t be imposed retroactively on Prayut, who first took office in Aug 24, 2014 after leading a coup. That’s because this provision and the military-backed charter only became effective in 2017.
Prayut’s prime ministerial term is deemed to have started from April 6, 2017, the 9-member court said in a majority ruling.
The court’s decisions are always final and cannot be appealed.
The verdict marked the end of the what appeared to be the hardest challenge yet for Prayut, who had faced and survived a series of no-confidence votes. He was suspended from office last month by the court as it deliberated on the opposition’s petition that argued he had completed 8 years in office since the May 2014 coup.
The court’s scrutiny had fuelled speculation that Thailand’s royal establishment was looking to replace Prayut ahead of the next election. His popularity has slumped for at least 4 straight quarters as his government struggles to shore up an economy still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Although election rules still favour the military-backed group to retain power, it faces stiff competition against the Pheu Thai party backed by former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, whose allies have won the most seats in every national vote over the past 21 years. Prayut ousted Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2014.
Anti-government activist groups gathered in central Bangkok before the court ruling, with some threatening to step up protests if the court lets Prayut stay in power. The groups had sought to oust him in months-long street protests in 2020 that also made unprecedented calls to curb the monarchy’s powers.
The reprieve for Prayut would help avert an immediate political vacuum in Thailand, which is set to host world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit in November. BLOOMBERG
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
Share with us your feedback on BT's products and services
