By Erich Parpart

The Constitutional Court is meeting to discuss General Prayut Chan-o-cha’s 8-year premiership term limit again on Wednesday.

 

The deliberation is the 2nd meeting in as many weeks. The court is looking at the various clauses of the constitution in order to ascertain whether the 2014 coup leader Gen. Prayut is in any breach of the constitution.

 

The opposition filed a petition to say that Gen. Prayut has already completed the 8-year term limit set forth by the 2017 charter.

 

Full story: https://www.thaienquirer.com/44158/constitutional-court-meets-to-deliberate-on-8-year-prime-minister-term-limit-of-2014-coup-leader-gen-prayut/

 

-- © Copyright Thai Enquirer 2022-09-14

 

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There is a paradox if the Court agrees with Prayut that the 2014 Interim Charter/Constitution did not establish the PM's term applicable to his royal endorsement as PM in 2014. 

The Court previously upheld that any order or act made by (virtual) junta leader/self-appointed PM Prayut following enactment of the 2014 Constitution was considered "lawful, constitutional and final."

So it would seem then if the Court sides with Prayut to ignore the 2014 Charter with regards to Prayut becoming Head of State, it contradicts its previous ruling on NCPO/PM directives. That is to say, Prayut at that time was not Head of Government. 

Thus in the extreme scenario, all laws promulgated following the 2014 Constitution and before the 2017 Constitution should also be voided. 

A right old mess...