Thailand's Politics
Thailand's government structure has experienced gradual evolution in response to the changing environment. Despite the preservation of the kingdom's monarchical system, established over 700 years ago, Thailand have become one of Asia's strongest democracies in a relatively short period of time.
Overview on Politics
Thailand is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy. After the country went through a democratic revolutionin 1932, sovereign power came to belong to the Thai people, with the King as the Head of State whose role is discharged according tothe country’s Constitution. The country is administered by the prime minister, who is appointed by a vote in the House of Representatives by a majority. The Kingdom has a bi-cameral legislature and an independent judiciary.
In spite of some internal conflicts, Thai governments have always evokedtosound and lucid policy principles: friendly relations with all its neighbours via constructive and hospitable foreign policies, steady economic growth through an open-market economyandcorrectmacro-economic policies with. Those are key factors contributed to increase competitiveness and achieve sustainable development.
Though the country has undergone several some political instabilities in recent decade, the resiliency and fundamental strengths of the Thai societyare believed to empower Thailand to overcome the difficulties andcontinue its stride along the path of development.
Government
The Government of Thailand is under constitutional monarchy system since the 1932 transformation. Three branches made up of the government are the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.
The executive branch comprises of the Prime Minister and the cabinet with the Prime Minister as the head.He is also leader of the Cabinet and a representative of the country abroad. The Prime Minister iselectedin theHouse of Representativesthen officially appointed by the King.The other part of the government, the Cabinet is a council composed of 35 Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The Cabinet is also responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies of the government. Unlike the Prime Minister, members of the Cabinet do not necessarily need to be a Member of Parliament.
The legislaturerepresented by National Assemblyfunctions as a law-making institution. Its primary responsibility is introduction of laws to govern the society. First met on 1932, the Assembly consists of two houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate, each with its own duty. The senate serves six-year term and cannot be dissolved. Though having little influence on making laws, it holds significant power in examination and appointment. Conversely, the House of Representatives is the principal house of the legislative branch. It even has the supremacy to to remove both the Prime Minister and Cabinet Ministers through a vote of no confidence. The House sits for a four year term but facing a threat of dissolution anytime before the expiration of the term.
The Judiciary of Thailand is composed of three distinct systems: the Court of Justice system, the Administrative Court system and the Constitutional Court of Thailand, which is organised in accordance with the 2007 Constitution.The Constitutional Court is the highest court of appeals, although itslegal poweris limited to constitutional issues. The Courts of Justice administerscriminal and civil cases and are organized in three tiers: Courts of First Instance, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Justice. The final system is Administrative courts, which undertakesuits of government with other entity.
The role of the Monarch
The King of Thailand is the head of state and head of the ruling Royal House of Chakri. The king has reigned since 9 June 1946, making him the world's longest reigning current monarch and the world’s longest serving head of state. Although having little power under the constitution, the King is more than a symbol of national identity and unity. The present monarch, Bhumibol Adulyadej, receives popular and profound respect. Additionally, the king retains many powers such as: being head of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, the privilegeof royalagreementand the power of pardon. He is also the defender of the Buddhist faith in Thailand.
The influence of the king on people is so tremendous that many Thais honor him as a God. The King is prudent to exercise his role to take care of people and cease the political and social unrest in the last 6 decades. Many Thais believe that, King Bhumibol Adulyadej could pilot the country’s modern development and intervene to alleviate the ongoing crisis.
However serious the Thailand’s situation is, the immutable faith of people on the King still exists firmly as always.
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