Bangkok, December 2 Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled on the 2nd that it is not unconstitutional for Prime Minister Prayut to live in military residences after leaving the military post and can continue to perform the post of Prime Minister.
At the beginning of this year, the opposition party accused Prayut of not moving out of the military camp’s office as required after leaving the commander of the Thai army in September 2014. He still lives in the barracks and enjoys corresponding free benefits, in violation of relevant legal provisions and hurting his legitimacy as Prime Minister.
Legal professionals believe that if the court decides that Prayut is unconstitutional, it will not only disqualify Prayut from becoming Prime Minister, but also lead to the dissolution of the entire cabinet.
The Constitutional Court of Thailand ruled on the case on the afternoon of the 2nd. The court held that Prayut had the position of army commander and therefore had the right to live in the army residence, and that Prayut continued to serve the country after leaving the position of army chief, the state must provide adequate safe accommodation, and that there was no “conflict of interest” in his residence in the army, so it did not constitute unconstitutional and could continue to perform the post of prime minister.
In May 2014, the Thai military launched a coup. After overthrowing the Thai government led by Yingluck, Prayut, then the commander of the army, became Prime Minister. In 2019, Thailand held a national general election, and Prayut was elected and continued to serve as Prime Minister.
