Thai premier faces a major crossroads

Significance

This followed its decision to take up a petition which argues that Prayut has completed the maximum eight years in office to which the 2017 constitution limits premiers. Prayut, army chief between October 2010 and September 2014, led the May 2014 coup and transitioned from junta leader to civilian premier following the March 2019 general election.

Impacts

• Prayut’s suspension will embolden the pro-democracy protesters who list his removal from office among their core demands.
• Anti-government demonstrations could intensify if the Court issues a ruling favourable to Prayut.
• The ruling will have a major bearing on whether Thaksin Shinawatra, a long-standing rival of the military, seeks the premiership again.