A court in Thailand has suspended Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from his official duties.

Thailand's Constitutional Court says Prayut cannot carry out the prime minister's duties until it comes up with a ruling on his tenure. His opponents say his term has already reached its limit.

The court says it has accepted a petition by opposition parties asking that his term be reviewed. The judges have ordered him to submit a testimony within 15 days.

The Thai constitution limits a prime minister to eight years in power. The opposition says Prayut's term started when he assumed his position after a coup in 2014.

But others say it began when he officially took office after the 2019 general election meaning Prayut could possibly stay in power until 2027 at the longest.

Momentum for the Prime Minister to step down is growing, with protests continuing over the past few days.
People gathered in central Bangkok after the court's announcement.

One protester said "I hope that today's verdict will turn a bad situation into a positive development"

Another protester said "We've lost so much in the past eight years. It's not something that we want to repeat.

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan is expected to take over as the acting prime minister, as he is the first in the cabinet's line of succession.

The court didn't mention when the final ruling is expected. But the latest development will have an impact on Prayut and his administration which is already losing popularity ahead of the general election due by early next year.