Suspended prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha went to work at the Defence Ministry on Friday morning and was expected to go home in the afternoon to hear the Constitutional Court’s ruling on his eight-year tenure.
Before leaving his army residence, Gen Prayut gave alms to monks as usual and then left for the work awaiting him as defence minister. He arrived at the ministry in his personal Mercedes Benz.
Thai and foreign reporters were barred from the ministry building, so gathered out in front of it.
Ministry officials informed reporters they would be allowed inside at 3pm, when the retiring permanent secretary hands over to his replacement.
Gen Prayut would not attend the ceremony. He would return to his residence in the afternoon to hear the court’s ruling on his tenure, officials said.
There were reports Gen Prayut was being deluged with phone messages of encouragement from cabinet ministers and MPs, for which he briefly thanked them.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon arrived at Government House at 9.30am on Friday to continue his duties as caretaker prime minister.
Gen Prawit said in response to questions that he had not met with Gen Prayut, but sent him encouragement every day. He gave no further details.