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Wednesday, December 02, 2020, 17:55
Thai court rejects petition to disqualify PM amid protests
By Bloomberg
Wednesday, December 02, 2020, 17:55 By Bloomberg

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha at the Government House of Thailand in Bangkok on Dec 2. (PHOTO / BLOOMBERG)

A Thai court dismissed a petition seeking to disqualify Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha for allegedly breaking ethical rules, allowing him to stay in power as anti-government protesters campaign for his resignation.

Prayuth didn’t violate the constitution by staying in a military-funded house in Bangkok following his retirement as army chief, the Constitutional Court said in its verdict Wednesday

Prayuth didn’t violate the constitution by staying in a military-funded house in Bangkok following his retirement as army chief, the Constitutional Court said in its verdict Wednesday. The court ruled on a petition brought by opposition leader Sompong Amornvivat filed through the lower house of parliament.

ALSO READ: Thai protest leaders face charges of insulting monarchy

The former army chief took power in a 2014 coup and stayed as prime minister after elections last year, with the help of rules written in a constitution drafted while his junta held power. He’s facing growing calls to resign from anti-government protesters, who have also demanded a rewriting of the constitution and monarchy reform.

Prayuth has been prime minister for more than six years, longer than any Thai premier in the past three decades. 

Prayuth said Monday that he was “not worried” about the court’s ruling and was “only worried about how to keep the nation, religion and the monarchy safe.” He has said he would respect the verdict.

READ MORE: Thai PM says all laws to be used against protesters

While Phitsanulok Mansion in the capital is the official residence of the prime minister, it’s not common for premiers to use it. Prayuth chose to continue living in a house in the army base in Bangkok even after becoming prime minister, citing security reasons.


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