Thailand premier off the hook in army residence case

ANKARA

Thailand’s constitutional court on Wednesday cleared Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha of any wrongdoing in staying in army housing while being the premier, local media reported.

The top court said Prayut, a retired general, “did not violate the charter by staying on in his army residence, so can remain in office,” Thai daily The Nation reported.

Prayut, who as army chief staged a coup and seized power in May 2014, lives at an official army residence in the capital Bangkok.

The former military ruler faced charges of violating the country’s constitution by staying in his army residence despite retiring in late 2014.

He was accused of flouting sections of the constitution that forbid government ministers from “receiving any special money or benefit from a government agency, state agency or state enterprise apart from that given by the government agency, state agency or state enterprise to other persons in the ordinary course of business.”

The verdict came as tensions run high in the country amid months of protests demanding Prayut’s removal, greater democratic changes, and reforms to Thailand’s monarchy.

The Thai army backed Prayut in the case, arguing that “similar housing was provided to other former army chiefs who are members of Cabinet, the Privy Council, and parliament.”

“The residence was provided to Prayut because he is PM and deserves the honor and security it provides,” the army told the court.

The premier said he continued to stay at the army residence “because the PM’s official residence, Baan Phitsanulok, was being renovated.”