Thai court keeps coup leader Prayuth as prime minister

Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled on Friday that the country's prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, can remain in office as he has not exceeded the eight-year constitutional term limit, according to his interpretation.

Thomas Osborne
Thomas Osborne
30 September 2022 Friday 11:31
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Thai court keeps coup leader Prayuth as prime minister

Thailand's Constitutional Court ruled on Friday that the country's prime minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha, can remain in office as he has not exceeded the eight-year constitutional term limit, according to his interpretation. The decision is an oxygen ball for the president, who with this ruling could stand in the elections to be held next year.

General Prayuth came to power in August 2014 after leading a coup a few months earlier. Under his supervision, the new Constitution approved in April 2017 was drafted, which stipulates a maximum term of eight years. In March 2019, the soldier-turned-politician retained leadership by leading a large coalition of conservative parties that won the general election.

A few weeks ago, the opposition filed an appeal alleging that Prayuth had agreed to the position in 2014, which is why he already exceeded that maximum of eight years at the helm.

However, the majority of the nine members of the court today dismissed those arguments by ruling that this clause is not retroactive and that its mandate began on April 6, 2017, the day the Magna Carta was approved. His decision cannot be appealed.

The prime minister, who was suspended from his duties since last August 24 while the court deliberated, will return to his post as of today. According to the government spokesman, Anucha Buraphashaisri, the leader respects the court's decision and is very grateful to all those who have given him his support.

The verdict marks the end of the biggest challenge the general has faced so far, whose popularity is going through low hours due to the country's economic problems. In addition, the scrutiny to which he has been subjected fuels the many speculations that the influential Thai Royal House was seeking to replace him before the next general election.

Thais are expected to go to the polls in the early months of 2023. With today's ruling, Prayuth would be eligible for re-election, though he has yet to announce his plans. Of course, if he wins again, he should leave office in April 2025, the Constitutional Court pointed out today.

Although electoral rules favor the military-backed group to retain power, they face stiff competition from the Pheu Thai party, backed by former leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

This popular millionaire, who is opposed by the most conservative sectors -military, monarchists, etc.- was expelled from power after a riot in 2006. Even so, he continues to maintain a strong influence in the country from exile, with his allied groups obtaining good results in the elections that have been held.

The decision to keep Prayuth in office fell very badly among the student groups that demand a deep democratic reform of the country. In response, they have called on the disaffected to demonstrate in downtown Bangkok this Friday, which could lead to some altercations.

The pro-democracy movement they represent staged massive demonstrations in 2020, in which they even opened the debate on the role of the all-powerful Thai monarchy in today's society.

However, they have lost strength in recent months, victims of a harsh judicial campaign promoted by the authorities. In the last 18 months, some 200 people, including minors and almost all of its prominent leaders, have been charged with lese majesty, a crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.