Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspends Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha from office.
Thailand’s main opposition party filed a petition to review the prime minister’s eight-year term limit.
According to a report by the foreign news agency AFP, the judges unanimously decide by a vote of four to five to suspend Prayuth Chan-Ocha from office.
The court declares that the Constitutional Court heard the case on the basis of facts after considering all the applications and supporting documents.
According to the court order, Chan Ocha Thai will not be able to perform his duties as the Prime Minister until the decision of case.
The Constitutional Court has given Prayutt Chan-ocha 15 days to submit a response.
Prayuth Chan-ocha’s deputy prime minister and former army chief Prawit Wongsowan will take over as caretaker prime minister.
Deputy Prime Minister Vasanukar Yangam says that the current cabinet will continue to carry out its duties as usual.
Chen Ocha has been removed not only from office but also from responsibilities.
Leader of the opposition Move Forward Party, which supports the petition, Pita Limjarvinrat says the country desperately needs new leadership. He also says that going from General Prayuth to General Prawit is like driving a boat around the tub.
Not the first time the Constitutional Court has played a role in Thai politics. The court also annulled the results of the 2006 and 2014 general elections.
According to the 2017 constitution of Thailand, the prime minister is not allowed to serve for more than 8 years.