BANGKOK, July 13 (UPI) -- Thailand's Constitutional Court Friday said amending the country's constitution does not pose a threat to the monarchy.
But the court said since the constitution was initially approved through referendum, a complete rewrite would also require voter approval.
The court said, however, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and legislators in her Pheu Thai party have the ability to amend sections of the document, the Bangkok Times reported.
The ruling helped calm fears Yingluck's government would fall, The New York Times reported.
The case exposed differences between supporters of Yingluck's government and supporters of her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in 2006 and convicted of corruption in 2008. Violent protests have rocked the country since with 90 deaths reported in one 2010 demonstration alone.
Police surrounded the court as Friday's ruling was announced. Supporters on both sides gathered in Bangkok to hear the ruling, but no incidents were reported.
