Tomorrow will bring forth another test for both the Thai political system and our society. All eyes will be on the Constitutional Court, which is due to decide on a petition filed by the opposition on the limit of the prime minister's tenure.
The case is a big challenge for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who came to power a little over eight years ago after the coup in May 2014. The odds are not on his side at the moment, as the 2017 constitution limits a prime minister's tenure to eight years.
Once again, the country is divided into two, with protesters back on the streets urging Gen Prayut to leave so as not to exceed his term limit. Backed by the opposition, they want Gen Prayut to step down from office tomorrow, eight years to the day from when he became junta leader.
His supporters, meanwhile, believe the count should begin in 2019, when he was sworn in as premier following the general election. If their interpretation is taken to be correct, then Gen Prayut would be able to stay on until next March, which would allow him to seek re-election.
The ball is now with the Constitutional Court, which will decide when the countdown should begin. The case is a massive challenge for the court, which has been slammed by critics and pundits in the past for ruling in favour of the embattled premier.
A similar ruling, however, wouldn't be a surprise, given the court judges' decision on the tenure of the Constitutional Court's president, Worawit Kangsasitiam and three other judges.
Back in April, the court decided that Mr Worawit, despite being appointed under the 2004 charter, which allowed judges to serve for nine years, or until the age of 70, will only be required to leave the post as required by the 2017 charter -- meaning he will be allowed to serve until he reaches the age of 75.
The ruling raises questions over how the judges decide which version of the charter applies in a particular situation.
No matter where public sentiments lie, the Constitutional Court must realise that society relies on it to make a sound and rational decision.
Meanwhile, it is time for Gen Prayut to start making good decisions that will benefit society as a whole. Apparently, the embattled PM seems to have forgotten that he once asked for "just a little time in politics".
Regardless of what decision the court makes, the court's judges must know that the public has high hopes they will make the right choice for the whole country.
A ruling by the Constitutional Court is final and binding, which means whatever the decision is, the public will have to live with it.
That said, the public must not forget that in a democratic system, the political elites aren't the only ones who get to call the shots. Voters must remember that they have the power to pick which politicians they want to stay and those they want go. As long as they choose the right moment -- the upcoming election, which is just months away, for instance -- they can build up enough momentum to drive undeserving politicians out of office in a peaceful manner.
