Constitution of Thailand (2007)

For works with similar titles, see Constitution of Thailand.

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Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007)
translated by Pinai Nanakorn, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University

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This is an unofficial translation provided by the National Assembly of Thailand. It was translated under the management of the Constitution Drafting Commission, Constituent Assembly and first published in November 2007 by the Secretariat of the House of Representatives. It can also be accessed through the website of the Senate of Thailand.

This Constitution was published in the Government Gazette, vol. 124, pt. 27 ko, dated 24 August 2007.

The previous Constitution, 1997 version, was abrogated by the Council for Democratic Reform, a military coup, on 19 September 2006.

192783Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand2007Pinai Nanakorn, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University

CONSTITUTION OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND

SOMDET PHRA PORAMIN MAHA BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ

SAYAMMINTHARATHIRAT BOROMMANATBOPHIT

Enacted on the 24th Day of August B.E. 2550 (2007)

Being the 62nd Year of the Present Reign

PREAMBLE

May there be virtue. Today is the eleventh day of the waxing moon in the ninth month of the year of the Pig under the lunar calendar, being Friday, the twenty fourth day of August under the solar calendar, in the 2550th year of the Buddhist Era.

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramin Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej Mahitalathibet Ramathibodi Chakkrinaruebodin Sayammintharathirat Borommanatbophit is graciously pleased to proclaim that the President of the National Legislative Assembly has made submission to His Majesty that Thailand has been under the progressive democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State for more than seventy five years, during which several constitutions were promulgated, abrogated and amended to ensure suitability with the prevailing circumstances of the country and the changes of time; and by virtue of the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) Buddhist Era 2549 (2006), the Constitution Drafting Assembly and the Constitution Drafting Committee have been established to draft a new constitution in order to direct the guidance for the Country administration in the future. For this regard, people have been allowed to extensively express their views and opinions about the new charter. Views and opinions of the people have been collected entirely for use in drafting of the new constitution incessantly.

This newly prepared draft constitution makes provision for achieving harmonious intentions of the Thai people in connection with the upholding of national independence and security, the support and cherishment of all religions, the reverence towards the King as Head of the State and as the national beloved idol, the adherence to the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of the State as the direction to administer the country, the furtherance of rights and liberties of the people, the encouragement of public roles and participation in the administration and the cross-examine of the exercise of State powers in concrete ways, the formulation of mechanisms for ensuring that political institutions, both in the Legislature and the Executive, shall achieve the equilibrium and efficiency along the line of the parliamentary system and also that the judicial institution and other independent organs shall perform duties in an honest and fair manner.

Upon completion of the drafting of a new constitution, the Constitution Drafting Assembly presented the draft charter to the people and held the referendum allowing them to vote on it. The referendum voting, the return of which manifested that the people by the majority of the qualified voters whom were present at the referendum passed approval on the enforcement of the new draft constitution. The President of the National Legislative Assembly therefor presented the draft constitution to His Majesty to affix the Royal Signature promulgating it as the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. Having entertained by the King the expedience to grant the royal endorsement in conformity with the public opinion.

Be it, therefor, commanded by the King the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand be enacted to replace, as from the date of its promulgation, the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) B.E. 2549 (2006) enacted on 1 October B.E. 2549 (2006).

May the Thai people unite in observing, protecting and upholding the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand in order to maintain the democratic regime of government and the sovereignty of the Thai people, bringing about happiness, prosperity, and dignity to His Majesty’s subjects throughout the Kingdom according to the will of His Majesty in every respect.

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Countersigned by:

Michai Ruchuphan

President of the National Legislative Assembly

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