Constitutional Court locked down ahead of today's 3pm verdict on Prayut’s tenure

The controlled area is off-limits to all members of the public until 6am on Monday, unless they are seeking government services. All visitors must undergo security screening.

The announcement of the controlled area, signed by court president Worawit Kangsasithiam, said the measures are to ensure safety and prevent any unrest that could occur during the verdict's reading.

Police from Thung Song Hong station established a command centre on the ground floor of the building on Thursday evening, while mobile steel barriers have been erected around the premises.

Constitutional Court judges are meeting from 9am on Friday to discuss the case and vote on the ruling, which is due to be issued at 3pm. The ruling will be broadcast live on the YouTube channel of the Constitution Court Office at https://www.youtube.com/c/สํานักงานศาลรัฐธรรมนูญ.

The court on August 24 suspended Prayut after accepting an opposition petition seeking its ruling on whether he had reached the constitutional eight-year limit set for a prime minister on August 24.

Prayut assumed office on August 24, 2014 following the military coup he led in May that year. However, he argues that his eight-year term should be counted from April 6, 2017, when the current Constitution was promulgated.