The Constitutional System of Thailand: A Contextual Analysis (Constitutional Systems of the World)

This book assesses the numerous attempts to establish a modern system of democratic government in Thailand, against the background of Thai politics and culture. Since 1932, when it became a constitutional monarchy, Thailand has had 18 Constitutions. This speaks of an unstable political system which has seen rapid and repeated fluctuations between military rule and elected government. The main focus of this study is a critical discussion of the institutional frameworks which have been established under recent Constitutions. Individual chapters deal with: the monarchy * elections * parliament * the civil service * the executive organs of the State * the contracting and regulatory State * local government * Thailand's constitutional watchdog bodies * the constitutional role of the courts.