The Constitutional Court ruled by a majority on Wednesday that Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai can remain in office as his wife had reduced her private shareholdings to meet the legal limit within the set deadline.
Constitutional Court judge Boonsong Kulbuppha said Mr Don's spouse (Narirat) transferred some shares in Palavong Co and Palavong Re-entry Co to their son, Puen, in order to reduce her stake in the two companies to 4%.
The transfers were made during the general shareholders' meetings of the two companies, on April 26 and 30, 2017. That was within the 30-day deadline set with the promulgation of the 2017 constitution on April 6, 2017, Mr Boonsong said.
The constitution prohibits a cabinet minister or their spouse from holding shares in excess of 5% of a company.
"The majority of the court rules that the ministerial position of Mr Don Pramudwinai does not have to end," he said.
After the ruling, Mr Don said he would now be able to fully concentrate on his work as foreign minister. He also said he would not join any political party and after the general election he would not take any political position.
He would also take into consideration his health in deciding whether he would remain as minister until the end of the present government.
