Thai pm suspends over term limit review

The Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha leaves Thailand after his weekly cabinet meeting on August 23, 2022 at the Government House in Bangkok. JACK TAYLOR AFP BANGKOK Suspended Thai leader Prayuth Chan-ocha said on social media that he would continue his role as defense minister, in his first direct address to the public since a court ordered him to cease his duties as prime minister while it reviews his term limit.

Prayuth said late on Thursday that he will continue to do my duty as defense minister for the people and Thailand.

The Constitutional Court on Wednesday decided to listen to a petition brought by the main opposition party arguing that Prayuth's years as the chief of a military junta should count toward his overall time in office after he took power in a 2014 coup. The constitution has a term limit of eight years for the prime minister.

It is not known when the court will make a decision on the review.

Anucha Burapachaisri, a government spokesman, said on Friday that the cabinet continues to function as normal.