Thailand’s top court has suspended Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha from official duty, while it considers a legal challenge to his term limit.
Opposition parties have filed a case arguing that Prayuth who has been in charge since 2014, has overstayed his tenure.
Thailand’s constitution limits prime ministers to eight years in office.
The ex-army chief first seized power in the 2014 military coup and then retained office in 2019, under a heavily restricted election.
However, in recent years, he has been facing growing opposition, and backlash within his coalition.
This year, he has survived multiple no-confidence votes against him.
Opponents and activists have argued that Prayuth’s term began when he was a junta leader.
As a military leader, he seized power in the May 2014 coup and then appointed himself prime minister of the new military government in August 2014.
His critics are saying his term should end this week.
However, his supporters say his term only began in 2017, when a new constitution came into force, or even after a general election in 2019, that saw him retain power.
Under those terms, he could technically continue serving until 2027, if he wins an upcoming general election.
On Wednesday, Thailand’s Constitutional Court agreed to hear the case from the political opposition.
The bench of judges ruled five to four in support of his immediate suspension.
It is unclear when the court will deliver its ruling on Prayath’s case.
Protesters had earlier gathered outside the parliament building in the capital, Bangkok, demanding his resignation.
The move means Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, 77, will become the interim prime minister, according to the cabinet line of succession.
Thailand is due to hold a vote before May next year, although the deputy PM had previously flagged it could be as early as November.
(Editor: Ifeanyi Mark)
