Thailand’s constitutional court has suspended the country’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha because of his overstay in office.
On Wednesday, the court unanimously considered the opposition’s petition arguing that PM of Thailand has exceeded his term limit.
By a vote of 5 to 4, the court members agreed to suspend Prayuth from his duties effective Wednesday until it reached a decision.
The court, however, did not indicate when it would issue its decision on whether Prayuth has breached the clause in the constitution on the eight-year limit. If it rules that he did, he would lose his post right away.
A total of 171 opposition lawmakers signed the petition to oust him. A caretaker will be appointed to lead the government, with current Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan among the favourite candidates tipped for the role.
Thailand’s 2017 constitution disallows the prime minister from serving more than eight years in total.
Several hundred anti-government protesters rallied at Bangkok’s Democracy Monument on Tuesday ahead of the court ruling and further demonstrations are planned.
