Thailand’s prime minister has been suspended from office after the country’s constitutional court agreed to hear a petition brought by the opposition that argues he has exceeded his legally mandated eight-year term.
Prayuth Chan-ocha, who came to power in a military coup but has since refashioned himself as civilian prime minister, will be temporarily relieved of his duties while the petition is considered, the court said on Wednesday.
While analysts said the move was unlikely to unseat the Thai leader, who has ruled since deposing the government of Yingluck Shinawatra in 2014, the decision to accept the legal challenge raises the possibility of political upheaval ahead of elections expected by next year.