Thailand’s Constitution Day

(09/12/2011)

December 10 each year marks Thailand’s Constitution Day, when various activities, such as exhibitions, seminars, and discussions, are held to promote better understanding about the democratic system and to develop political culture in Thai society. The history of Thailand’s constitutions began in 1932 when King Prajadhipok, Rama VII, granted the first permanent constitution to the Thai people on December 10. The constitution was meant to be the ultimate law, following the change of the country’s absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Before the constitution was created, Thailand was ruled by an absolute monarchy until 24 June 1932, when a group of young intellectuals and army officers, educated abroad and imbued with the concept of Western democracy, staged a bloodless coup. Determined to avoid any bloodshed, King Prajadhipok agreed to the abolition of absolute monarchy and the transfer of power to the constitution-based system of government as demanded. The King, in any case, was already thinking along such lines himself and had already drafted a constitution which had been debated in the Supreme Council of State. It was only a matter of waiting for the right time. He agreed and thus became the first constitutional monarch. Two years later, unhappy with some of the results, he decided to abdicate. In his abdication letter dated 2 March 1934, King Prajadhipok said, “I am fully willing to relinquish the powers which previously belonged to me, to the people in general, but I refuse to hand these powers to any specific person or group to exercise them in an absolute way and without listening to the real voice of the people.” Thailand has been under the rule of democratic government for 79 years now. The first period of two years was under the reign of King Prajadhipok. The subsequent period of 11 years was under the reign of King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII. The present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, has reigned under the democratic system for 65 years now, faithfully enacting the constitutional role written for him. Over the years of his reign, the political ups and downs of democracy have shown him to be a stabilizing force that the nation can look up to and rely on. His Majesty the King once said that the Constitution does not give the King power to do anything he wishes. He has never overstepped his duty, as this would be undemocratic. His Majesty has given advice for the solving of the country’s problems within legal principles and guidelines. Over the 79 years of democratic administration in the country, a number of constitutions were promulgated and amended in accordance with the evolving situation. The present Constitution of Thailand is the 18th of its kind; it was promulgated on August 24, 2007 after being voted on in a public referendum. The general provisions of the Constitution confirm the Kingdom as a democratic regime with the King as Head of State. The rights and liberties of the Thai people as recognized by the Constitution are divided into ensuring human dignity, equality of individuals, freedom of expression of individuals, and people’s political participation.