Eleanor Finch
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a long history of political instability and military coups. The country's first constitution was established in 1932, ending 150 years of absolute monarchy and reducing the monarch to a symbolic head of state. Since then, Thailand has had 17-20 constitutions, with the most recent drafted in 2017. The country's politics are conducted within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, with a prime minister as the head of government and a hereditary monarch as the head of state. The National Assembly of Thailand is a bicameral legislature consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate, with members of the House serving four-year terms. The degree of public participation in the drafting of the constitution, as well as the democratic nature of its articles, has varied over time.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Monarchy | Constitutional |
| Head of State | Hereditary Monarch |
| Head of Government | Prime Minister |
| Legislature | Unicameral or bicameral parliaments |
| Members of Parliament | Elected or appointed |
| Judiciary | Independent of the executive and legislative branches |
| Human Rights | National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) |
| Election Requirements | Thai nationality, 18 years of age or older, name listed in household register in the constituency for at least 90 days |
| Number of Charters and Constitutions | 20 |
| Average Number of Years Between Constitutions | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
The role of citizens in a constitutional monarchy
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, with the monarch as the head of state. The country's citizens participate in this system of governance in several ways. Firstly, through their involvement in the democratic process, including voting in elections and contributing to the drafting of constitutions. The country's 2017 Constitution, for instance, was approved by 61.4% of Thai voters, with a 59.4% participation rate.
The citizens of Thailand also engage with their constitutional monarchy through the country's legislative and political processes. The National Assembly of Thailand, a bicameral legislature consisting of a House of Representatives and a Senate, plays a crucial role in this regard. The House of Representatives, with its directly elected members, provides a direct link between the citizens and the government. Furthermore, citizens can initiate no-confidence proceedings against the Prime Minister or any Minister through a vote in the House of Representatives.
Additionally, citizens of Thailand can participate in the constitutional monarchy by serving in the civil service, known as "kharatchakan" or "servants of the king". While the number of women in senior civil service positions is small, it is slowly increasing, reflecting a gradual shift towards greater gender equality in the country's governance.
Another way Thai citizens participate in the constitutional monarchy is through the protection and promotion of human rights. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is tasked with safeguarding human rights and reporting violations to the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers. The NHRC's work helps ensure that the rights of Thai citizens are respected and upheld by the government.
Lastly, citizens play a crucial role in challenging and shaping the role of the monarchy itself. Since 2000, the position of the monarchy has faced increasing scrutiny and criticism from various segments of Thai society, including scholars, students, media, observers, and traditionalists. This reflects a dynamic and evolving relationship between the citizens and the monarchy within the context of a constitutional monarchy.
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The monarchy's relationship with the military
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, with the monarch as the head of state. The country has had 17 constitutions, with the most recent drafted in 2007. The 2007 constitution was suspended in 2014 following a military coup, and a council of military leaders took power. This council appointed a 200-member single-chamber interim legislature, with the leader of the council becoming the interim prime minister.
The military has successfully overthrown governments in Thailand multiple times, establishing military rule or installing new leaders. The country has experienced several coups d'état, with the most recent one occurring in 2014. After each coup, the military has suspended or annulled the existing constitution and imposed new rules, such as martial law and restrictions on gatherings and media. They have also increased their expenditure on "upholding, protecting, and preserving the monarchy."
The king, as the head of state and the nominal head of the armed forces, has some powers and a role in the workings of the government. The king's role has evolved over time, and while the 2007 constitution ceded much of his direct power to the prime minister, he retains certain traditional powers, such as appointing heirs and granting pardons. The king also has the power to appoint members to his privy council, which assists and advises him.
The military and the monarchy have had a symbiotic relationship, with each using the other to consolidate their power. The military has used the monarchy as a justification for its involvement in politics and has protected the monarchy from criticism and lawful challenges. The monarchy, in turn, has benefited from the military's protection and has used its influence to support the military's interests. This dynamic has shaped the country's political landscape and governance.
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The impact of coups on the constitution
Thailand has had a constitutional monarchy since 1932, when a coalition of civil servants and army officers seized power in a bloodless coup, instituting the country's first constitution. Since then, there have been 17 to 20 constitutions and charters, with a series of intervening military coups.
The impact of these coups on the constitution has been significant. The 1932 coup ended 150 years of absolute Chakri rule, with the role of the monarch being relegated to a symbolic head of state. The king's powers were transferred to a prime minister and the National Assembly. The 1932 coup also established a State Council and National Assembly under the new government, with power being exercised by the latter, the Council of Ministers, and the courts in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and laws passed by the National Assembly.
The 2007 constitution, which was largely based on that of 1997, imposed many restrictions on the executive branch. For example, it limited the prime minister to serving for a maximum of eight years and required the prime minister's family members to declare all assets while forbidding them from being partners or shareholders in any company. It also provided for the direct election of members of the lower house of the Assembly, the House of Representatives, to four-year terms, with five-sixths elected from single-member districts and the remainder based on proportional representation from the political parties.
However, the 2007 constitution was suspended in May 2014 following another military coup, except for provisions pertaining to the monarchy. A council of military leaders took power, appointing a 200-member single-chamber interim legislature and an interim prime minister. This coup impacted the constitution by centralising power in the hands of the military and removing the democratic process of electing representatives to the lower house of the Assembly.
The most recent constitution, drafted in 2017, made further changes to the National Assembly of Thailand. The House of Representatives was expanded from 480 to 500 members, with 350 directly elected by constituents and 150 chosen from party lists. It also altered the duties of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), removing its power to submit complaints or reports to the courts and file lawsuits on behalf of those injured by human rights violations. Instead, the NHRC's duties include reporting human rights violations to the National Assembly and the Council of Ministers and issuing recommendations to prevent or provide redress for such violations.
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The monarchy's influence on the judiciary
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with the monarch as the head of state. The country has had 17 constitutions, with the most recent drafted in 2007. Power is exercised by the bicameral National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the courts in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and laws passed by the National Assembly.
The 2007 Constitution put in place a constitutional monarchy, with the King as the Chief of State. While the King ceded much of his direct power to the Prime Minister, he retained some traditional powers, such as the appointment of heirs and the power to grant pardons. The King is also the nominal head of the Armed Forces and the protector of all religions in the country.
The judiciary in Thailand has undergone significant reforms over the years. In the mid-19th century, Thailand transitioned from a feudal state to an emerging nation-state, eliminating slavery and serfdom and instigating judicial and legal reforms. The creation of an independent judiciary was a significant aspect of these reforms, but it proved challenging due to interference from politicians and corruption within the system.
The Supreme Court, with justices appointed by the monarch, was established as the final court of appeal for both civil and criminal cases. A system of intermediary appeals courts was also set up to handle cases from lower courts across the country. The Constitutional Court of Thailand, created by the 1997 constitution, has jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, and draft legislation, as well as the appointment and removal of public officials and issues related to political parties.
The role of the Thai monarchy has been increasingly challenged in recent years, with some arguing that laws relating to lèse-majesté hinder freedom of expression. However, the monarchy still wields significant influence, and the military has often cited the need to protect the monarchy as a reason for its involvement in the political process.
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The monarchy's role in the legislative process
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with the monarch as the head of state. The country has had 17 constitutions, with the most recent drafted in 2007. The 2007 Constitution put in place a constitutional monarchy, with the King as the Chief of State but no longer the originator of all laws in the kingdom. That prerogative is now entrusted to the National Assembly of Thailand.
The King, however, still wields significant power. He can veto legislation passed by the National Assembly, subject to an override of a two-thirds vote by the Assembly. The King also retains the power to dissolve the House of Representatives and call for a new general election. The Prime Minister must be selected from among the House of Representatives with the approval of over half of the House, and the King then officially appoints the person. The King also appoints the Council of Ministers, with up to 35 members, and each Minister is removable by the King upon the advice of the Prime Minister.
The King is assisted in his work and duties by the Private Secretary to the King of Thailand and the Privy Council of Thailand, in consultation with the head of the cabinet, the Prime Minister. The King also appoints the members of the 18-person Privy Council, who act as his personal advisors and are removable only by the King.
The Supreme Court, with justices appointed by the monarch, is the final court of appeal for both civil and criminal cases. The execution of laws is carried out by the civil service, whose members are known as "servants of the king".
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Frequently asked questions
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with a prime minister as the head of government and a hereditary monarch as the head of state.
Citizens' participation in Thailand's politics has been described as "flawed democracy" by The Economist Intelligence Unit. Constitutionally, citizens can participate by voting in elections. The 2019 General Election, for instance, selected 500 members of the House of Representatives, in which 350 were elected from a constituency basis and 150 were elected from a party-list proportional representation. Citizens can also participate by signing petitions, which, if supported by at least 10,000 eligible voters, can be submitted to the House of Representatives.
Thailand has had several coups since 1932, resulting in an average of one new constitution every four years. This reflects a high degree of political instability in the country.
