The highest court in Thailand has suspended Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha from office while it considers a challenge to his term restriction.
The opposition parties of the country have argued that Mr. Prayuth has overstayed his tenure.
The constitution of Thailand restricts prime ministers to eight years in office.
In 2014, Prayuth Chan-Ocha gained power through a military coup, and he retained his position in 2019 through an election overseen by the military government.
The court has ordered Mr. Prayuth’s suspension from office while it deliberates the case.
In recent years, he has faced increasing criticism, although he survived a motion of no confidence against him last month.
Earlier, protesters had gathered outside Bangkok’s parliament buildings, demanding his resignation.
Opponents and activists urging Mr. Prayuth’s resignation maintained that his tenure began when, as junta commander, he took power in the May 2014 coup and was named prime minister of the new military government in August 2014. Thus, they reasoned, his term should conclude this week.
However, his supporters argue that his tenure did not begin until 2017 – when a new constitution went into effect – or even 2019 after he was elected president in a national election.
If he wins the forthcoming general election, he might legally continue serving until 2027 under these terms.
According to the government line of succession, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, 77, a former army chief, would likely become the interim prime minister.
