History of Constitution Day
At the start of the 1930s, Thailand (then called Siam) was suffering economically from the effects of the great depression. The king at the time was Rama VII, who was seen by many as lacking the experience necessary to deal with all the issues that were affecting his country.
This led to a group of intellectuals and senior military personnel forming a group called the people's party who presented the king with the option to stay in power but have his power reduced, creating a constitutional monarchy. Under the new constitution, the king and monarchy remained in place with the king as head of state, head of the military and defender of all religions.
Since 1932, Thailand has had 20 constitutions or charters. Many of the redrafted versions, from which the authority to implement all other laws is based, have been adopted following military coups, including the current administration, which introduced its version on April 6th 2017. The one constant has been that all the changes are a variation of a constitutional monarchy. This constant of the monarchy during times of great change reflects the respect and admiration that the Thai people have for their monarchy.
Constitution of Thailand
Thailand has had 20 constitutions and charters since the overthrow of absolute monarchy in 1932.
- Temporary Charter for the Administration of Siam Act 1932
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam 1932
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1946
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) 1947
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1949
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1932 (Revised 1952)
- Charter for the Administration of the Kingdom 1959
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1968
- Interim Charter for Administration of the Kingdom 1972
- Constitution for the Administration of the Kingdom 1974
- Constitution for Administration of the Kingdom 1976
- Charter for Administration of the Kingdom 1977
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1978
- Charter for Administration of the Kingdom 1991
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1991
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1997
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) 2006
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2007
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) 2014
- Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2017
Sources:
Constitution of Thailand. (2021). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Thailand
Democracy Monument (อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย). (2556). วิกิพีเดีย. https://th.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/ไฟล์:Democracy_Monument (อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย).jpg
Nick. (2020). Constitution Day. https://www.huahintoday.com/thailand-news/constitution-day/
Thailand Constitution Day in Thailand in 2021. (2021). https://www.officeholidays.com/holidays/thailand/thailand-constitution-day
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. (2016). MASTERKOOL. https://www.masterkool.com/en/the-constitution-of-the-kingdom-of-thailand/
Unknown. (2018). Constitution Day. https://24love-story.blogspot.com/2018/02/constitution-day.html