The court decided that the 8-year term has not yet expired. It started in 2017 and not in 2014. Pro-democracy protesters take to the streets against the verdict.
Bangkok ( / Agencies) – Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s mandate has not exceeded the eight-year limit set by law, so the general will be able to remain in office until 2025.
The Constitutional Court of Thailand ruled that the beginning of the mandate is considered from April 6, 2017, the date on which the current Constitution also came into force. Consequently, the years of government between 2014 and 2017, during which Thailand had a provisional charter, were not taken into account for the purposes of the judgement.
The verdict responded to a request for clarification submitted by House representative Chuan Leekpai on August 17. The opposition believes that the 68-year-old general should have completed his term on August 24 this year, the day the court suspended the prime minister and the deputy prime minister took office on an interim basis.
The military coup in May 2014 ended a period of political tensions that had begun with the proposal by the previous government, led by Yingluck Shinawatra, to grant a general amnesty to various personalities. Among them was his brother and his former prime minister, Thaksin, who was serving time on various charges, including corruption and abuse of power.
Pro-democracy groups today called protest demonstrations against the ruling of the Constitutional Court.
