SUSPENDED Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said this afternoon (Sept. 14) that he has confidence in the justice system and affirmed he will respect the Constitutional Court’s ruling on his eight-year tenure regardless of the outcome, Matichon newspaper said.
Earlier today the Constitutional Court said it will give its verdict on a petition signed by 171 opposition MPs which Parliament President Chuan Leekpai submitted asking for a ruling on when Prayut’s eight-year tenure ends on Friday September 30, 2022.
Mr. Anucha Burapachaisri, deputy secretary-general to the Prime Minister for Political Affairs acting as a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office, said Gen. Prayut thanked the people for their support and is continuing his duty as Defence Minister and is fully supporting the government in handling the floods.
All military units and related agencies have been ordered to assist people affected by the floods in a timely manner both in Bangkok and many other areas of the country as well as help in their rehabilitation.
Prayut who has practically run the country since 2014, the year in which he staged a coup as army chief and named himself head of a military-installed government has earlier declined to make comments on the issue and only said it will be settled by the Constitutional Court.
Various opposition lawmakers, academics and other government critics have strongly insisted that Prayut’s eight-year tenure ended on August 24 on account of his having run the country since the coup year of 2014.
Nevertheless, pro-Prayut figures have contended that the unelected premier’s tenure may not end until 2025 as it may have started from 2017, the year in which the constitution was promulgated or even until 2027 on account of 2019, the year in which a general election was held and saw him successfully named head of the Palang Pracharath-led coalition government.
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Suspended Prime Minister-cum-Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha at his office in Defence Ministry headquarters, top, and at Government House recently, Front Page. Top photo: Matichon, Front Page photo: INN News
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