The National Legislative Assembly (NLA) yesterday voted to pass a bill on Administrative Court procedures which has resulted in the term of the incumbent president of the court being extended for four years.
Unlike the Election Commission, where new members must be recruited according to the newly passed law, the bill on the Administrative Court says the Supreme Administrative Court president's term will last four years from when the law becomes effective.
Previously, the law stated the Administrative Court's president can stay until the age of 70.
Before the 173:0 vote with five abstentions, NLA members yesterday debated when the four years should be started.
The debate focused on whether it should start at the appointment date or when the law is promulgated.
NLA member Chatchawan Suksomjit, chief of the bill deliberation committee, said the term of the current court's president has been shortened by this new law; therefore, the four-year term should start from when the new law is promulgated.
Counting from when he took the post will shorten his term too much.
The current Administrative Court president, Piya Patangta, 65, took up the post in April 2016.