Volume 1 | Issue 1
November 2017
Background:
The Government of Thailand, or the
Royal Thai Government, is a unitary
government of the Kingdom of
Thailand. The country developed as a
modern nation state after the
establishment of the Chakri Dynasty
and the city of Bangkok in 1782.
After this, the country was ruled by
series of military leaders.
Government
Information:
Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and
a parliamentary democracy. A
constitutional monarchy means that they
share power with a constitutionally
organized government. A parliamentary
democracy is when citizens elect
representatives to a legislative parliament
to make the necessary laws and decisions
for the country.
The Monarchy:
King Vajiralongkorm is the current King of
Thailand. Figure 1 shows a picture of him.
His job is to implementat powers through the
three branches of Thai government. Although
he is given very little power, he still remains
a figurehead and symbol of the Thai nation.
Government System
of Thailand
Prime Minister:
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of the government. They
are selected by an election in the lower house, then officially appointed
by the King. The Prime Minster is the head of the executive branch
which is also called the leader of the Cabinet of Thailand. Yingluck
Shinawatra of the Pheu Thai Party was the first female prime minister
who was most recently elected. She was removed from office by the
Constitutional Court of Thailand and then replaced with
Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan.
Legal System:
Thailands legal system consists of principles of traditional Thai
and Western laws. The legal system that Thailand follows has often
been criticized by other countries since they have penalties of life in
prison or even death for crimes such as drug possession or
smuggling, while having merciful punishments for crimes such as
terrorism, abuse, or death.
Figure 1King Vajiralongkorn
Government of Thailand. (2017, October 21). Retrieved
November 09, 2017, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Thailand#/me
dia/File:HRH_Vajiralongkorn_(Cropped).jpg