Thai court to decide Prayuth's PM tenure on Sept 30

BANGKOK - Thailand’s Constitutional Court today set Sept 30 to deliver the verdict on Prayuth Chan o-cha’s tenure as Prime Minister - whether he has already exceeded an eight-year limit.

The Constitutional Court held a meeting today and said it had received all documents for further consideration of the case.

"Therefore, the Constitutional Court set 3 pm on 30 September to deliver the decision,” it said in a statement.

Meanwhile, acting Government Spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said Prayuth has reaffirmed his faith in the judicial system.

"Prayuth will respect the Court’s ruling no matter what it will be,” he said in a statement.

On August 24, Thailand’s Constitutional Court suspended Prayuth, 68, from official duties after it decided to hear a petition from the opposition block that sought a review to see if he had exceeded his eight-year term limit.

The former army chief is still continuing with his routine as the defence minister.

The opposition Pheu Thai party said Prayuth’s time spent after he took power in the 2014 military coup should count towards the eight-year term and he had now reached the limit.

However, Prayuth’s supporters said his tenure started when the 2017 constitution was instituted while some even said that is should be after the 2019 general election.

Thailand’s 2017 constitution limits any prime minister from serving more than eight years in total. Deputy Prime Minister, Prawit Wongsuwan, is acting Prime Minister. - BERNAMA