Thai PM Srettha avoids suspension as court takes up ethics case

BANGKOK, TOKYO -- Thailand's Constitutional Court on Thursday accepted a petition filed by 40 senators to terminate Srettha Thavisin from his prime minister's post but said it will not suspend Srettha while it deliberates the matter, a break from past precedent that allows the prime minister to remain in office at least until a verdict is handed down.

Six of the court's nine judges voted to accept the petition and allow the defendant to send any documents in his defense within 15 days, the court said in a statement.