THE Constitutional Court announced after a meeting this morning (Sept. 14) that it will deliver its verdict on suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s eight-year tenure at 3 p.m. on Friday September 30, 2022, Matichon newspaper said at noon today.
The court considered a petition signed by 171 opposition MPs which Parliament President Chuan Leekpai submitted asking for a ruling on when Prayut’s eight-year tenure ends according to the Constitution’s Section 170 paragraph two and Section 158 paragraph four.
The court discussed the petition and decided that this is a legal issue with there being sufficient evidence to pass a judgement.
The court will now meet at 3 p.m. on Friday September 30, 2022 to consult, vote and read out its verdict.
Prayut who has practically run the country since 2014, the year in which he staged a coup as army chief and named himself head of a military-installed government has earlier declined to make comments on the issue and only said it will be settled by the Constitutional Court.
Various opposition lawmakers, academics and other government critics have strongly insisted that Prayut’s eight-year tenure ended on August 24 on account of his having run the country since the coup year of 2014.
Nevertheless, pro-Prayut figures have contended that the unelected premier’s tenure may not end until 2025 as it may have started from 2017, the year in which the constitution was promulgated or even until 2027 on account of 2019, the year in which a general election was held and saw him successfully named head of the Palang Pracharath-led coalition government.
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Top: Suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha in front of the Constitutional Court’s logo. Photo: Matichon
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