BANGKOK, Aug 24 (TNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon automatically becomes the acting prime minister on behalf of Gen Prayut Chan-ocha; otherwise, another cabinet minister can assume the role, said Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam.
After the Constitutional Court suspended Gen Prayut as the prime minister today until it issues a ruling on the matter of his tenure, Mr Wissanu said Gen Prawit automatically became the acting prime minister and other cabinet ministers would be at work as usual including Gen Prayut as the defence minister.
If six deputy prime ministers are not ready to act as the prime minister, any other minister can take over the acting role including Gen Prayut who had the concurrent position at the defence ministry, Mr Wissanu said.
Mr Wissanu also said that the legal team of Gen Prayut prepared a statement for the Constitutional Court. Today the court ordered Gen Prayut to file his statement on the matter of his tenure within 15 days.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai said the suspension order from the Constitutional Court had no impacts on the country’s plan to host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leadership summit in November. Gen Prawit had no issues of confidence in the eyes of the international community, Mr Don said. (TNA)
