INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
favor in a slew of political cases.Any decision to allow the general to stay on risks invigorating a protest movement that has long sought
to oust him and reopening deep fissures in Thailand, which has been rocked by repeated bursts of political chaos since a coup toppled
then-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006.Since then, Thaksin, a telecoms billionaire whose populist appeal threatened the traditional
box and in the streets, sometimes violently
The 2014 takeover ousted his sister from power.Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, a close political ally of Prayuth and part of the
24, 2014.But his supporters contend his term should be counted from when the current constitution, which contains the term-limit provision,
try to legitimize their rule and defuse opposition by holding elections and abiding by constitutional restrictions.For instance, while
Prayuth initially came to power in a coup, he won the job legally after a general election in 2019.By a vote of 5 to 4 on Wednesday, the
court agreed to suspend the prime minister from his duties while it considers a petition from opposition lawmakers
thousands of people took to the streets to demand that Prayuth and his Cabinet resign, while also calling for the constitution to be amended
and the monarchy to be reformed.Several confrontations between the student-driven protest movement and authorities became violent
A legal crackdown on activists further embittered critics.Small protests appealing again to Prayuth to step down and the Constitutional
said while protesting in Bangkok on Wednesday
the standoff.In addition to his close association with the military clique that seized power, Prawit, 77, was tainted by allegations he had
He has publicly acknowledged his health is not good and is better known as a behind-the-scenes political organizer.Also, some legal scholars
job after the 2019 general election
That list did not include Prawit, though it appears possible he could be nominated in case of a deadlock.If he is not forced out of office,
Prayuth must call a new election by March next year, though he has the option of calling one before that.The eight-year term limit was meant
to target Thaksin, whose political machine remains powerful
The courts have been stalwart defenders of the established order and ruled consistently against Thaksin and other challengers.Source:
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://adaderana.lk
