PM Prayut chairs first Cabinet meeting after temporary suspension ends

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha chaired his first Cabinet meeting today (Wednesday) at Government House after being absent since the Constitutional Court suspended him from active duty pending a ruling on his 8-year term in the office.
Last Friday, the Constitutional Court ruled by 6-3 that the prime minister’s term has not expired, as it should be calculated from the promulgation of the Constitution B.E. 2560 on April 6th, 2017.
During his suspension, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan served as acting prime minister and chaired cabinet meetings. He did not, however, attend the meeting today due to illness.
General Kongcheep Tantravanich, spokesman for the deputy prime minister, told the media today that General Prawit fell ill after his return from an inspection trip to Ayutthaya, Chai Nat, Ang Thong and Sing Buri provinces on Monday, to assess flood situation there.
He said that the deputy prime minister has been given medication and his condition is not serious.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said today that he will consult the prime minister about the Democrat Party’s proposal to nominate an MP to replace Deputy Interior Minister Nipon Boonyamanee, who resigned recently.