Prayut verdict: Constitution Court imposes strict control till Oct. 3 morning

THE Constitutional Court tightened security at the building in Government Complex where it is located from 7 p.m. last night (Sept. 29) till 6 a.m. Monday morning (Oct. 3) as it is due to give its verdict on suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s eight-year tenure from 3 p.m. today, Amarin TV said.

Mr. Worawit Kangsasitiam, president of the Constitutional Court, signed an announcement declaring the office of the Constitutional Court as a place to work safely and in an orderly manner.

The Constitutional Court will rule whether Prayut’s eight-year rule may already have ended since last month, given the fact that he rose to premiership in 2014 following a coup which he himself had orchestrated as army chief a few months earlier that year.

Prayut might possibly be legally allowed to assume the top government post until 2025 if his premiership is ruled by the court to have begun in 2017, the year in which the current constitution was promulgated.

Or else Prayut might possibly be legally allowed to stay in power until 2027, beginning in 2019, the year in which a previous general election was held, leading to his being named by Palang Pracharath Party as head of a post-election government.

Security agencies had told the court that they got information pointing to security risk and possible chaos over this ruling.

The court therefore imposed security upto the outer boundary of Ratchaburi Direkrit Building (Building A) within the Government Complex to ensure peace and safety.

Both individuals and their vehicles seeking to enter this area must pass through inspection by security officials. Only those working at this building or have some official work will be allowed in. This is in effect from 7 p.m. last night (Sept. 29) till 6 a.m. Monday morning (Oct. 3).

Meanwhile suspended Prime Minister-cum-Defence Minister Prayut left his residence at the First Infantry Regiment on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to go work at the Defence Ministry at 9.42 a.m. after making merit as he usually does, Naewna newspaper said.

Officers at this ministry did not allow the media to enter the compound leading to both Thai and foreign reporters gathering outside the front gate.

Reporters also said that Prayut replied with a brief “thank you” to messages of encouragement he received from politicians this morning.

CAPTIONS:

Top: The entrance to the Constitutional Court with an image of suspended Prime Minister-cum-Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha inset. Photo: Matichon

Security beefed up at this court’s compound, first below, and cameras placed to videotape the ruling today, Front Page. Photos: Matichon