A top high court in Thailand has suspected Prime Minister, Prayuth Chan-ocha from official duty while it is thinking of legal actions against his term limit.
Thailand’s opposition parties came up with a case that PM Prayuth has stayed more than his term in office.
Protesters had earlier gathered outside parliament buildings in the capital, Bangkok, demanding his resignation.
Opponents and activists pushing for Mr Prayuth’s removal had argued his term began when as junta leader, he seized power in the May 2014 coup and was appointed the prime minister of the new military government in August 2014. Thus his term, should end this week, they argued.
However his supporters say his term only began in 2017 – when a new constitution came into force- or even after a general election in 2019 that saw him elected into power.
Under these terms, he could technically continue serving until 2027 – if he wins an upcoming general election.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, 77, also a former army chief, will likely become the interim prime minister, according to the cabinet line of succession.