Thailand’s Constitutional Court and its offices have been declared restricted areas from 7pm Thursday night until 6am on Monday, ahead of the court’s ruling on the 8-year term in office of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Friday afternoon.
Only authorised persons and their vehicles are currently allowed entry to the restricted areas and they are subject to checks by guards.
The security measure was ordered by president of the Constitutional Court, Worawit Kangsasitiam, after they wereinformed by security agencies of potential disturbances related to the court’s ruling.
About 300 police officers will be at the Constitutional Court today (Friday) to maintain peace and order.
Parliament President Chuan Leekpai said yesterday that there will be no political vacuum created should the court rule that the currently suspended Prime Minister’s term in office has already expired.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is the acting prime minister, pending the court’s ruling.
As defence minister, Prayut will be at the ministry today.
In August, opposition parties sought the Constitutional Court’s ruling on Prime Minister Prayut’s term in office, claiming that his 8-year term expired on August 23rd this year,as he was named prime minister on August 24th, 2014,following a coup in May of that year, which he led to overthrow the government of then Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
