DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE UNDER THE 2017 CONSTITUTION

Abstract

Thailand adopted a democratic system of government on June 24, 1932, when the People's Party transitioned the country from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. The first constitution, a temporary charter, was enacted in 1932, followed by the permanent Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam on December 10, 1932. This constitution introduced a separation of powers into legislative, executive, and judicial branches, ensuring checks and balances. It also affirmed the rights, freedoms, and equality of citizens, emphasizing that sovereignty belongs to the people. The constitution is the supreme law that defines governance structures, the scope of state powers, and citizens' rights and duties. The current constitution, enacted on April 6, 2017, maintains that sovereign power belongs to the Thai people, exercised through the King, Parliament, the Cabinet, and the judiciary. However, one key concern is the Senate, whose members are not elected directly by the people, contrary to democratic principles, but are selected from 20 designated groups. This undermines the concept of representation. Moreover, the constitution is overly detailed, making it difficult for the public to understand. It would be more effective if it focused solely on key principles, leaving specific procedures to be legislated through separate acts, thus making the constitution more accessible and easier for citizens to grasp.