The Politics of Thailand
Thailand has both a king – His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej
– and a Prime Minister - Samak Sundaravej. Thailand is
a constitutional monarchy, which means that the Prime
Minister is the head of government and the king is the
head of state. Thailand had been ruled by the monarchy
since the thirteenth century, with the current king taking
the throne on June 9, 1946. Thailand officially became
a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Although the King of
Thailand does not have much direct power under the constitution,
he is a symbol of national identity and unity. Thailand
is a country with a fiery political history. The last
coup d’état forced a general election on 23 December 2007.
The People Power Party, led by Mr. Samak Sundaravej, won
the majority of seats. A civilian coalition government
was formed on 28 January 2008 with five other minor parties
leaving the Democrats, led by Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, as
the only opposition party. Under the new 2007 Constitution
Thai legislature is called the National Assembly or informally,
the Parliament. It comprises a House of Representatives
of 480 seats and a Senate of 150 seats. The main active
political parties in Thailand are the People's Power Party,
the Democrat Party, Thai Nation Party, For the Motherland,
Thais United National Development Party, the Neutral Democratic
Party and the Royalist People's Party. Under the new legislations,
it is agreed that elections will take place once a year
and all Thai citizens are expected to vote.
Thailand
Northern Thailnd
Chiang Mai
| Chiang Rai
| Mae Hong Son | Sukhothai | Lumpang | Petchaboon | Phitsanulok
| Tak North
North Eastern Thailand
Khon Khen | Buriram | Loei | Nakhon Ratchasima | Nong
Khai | Nakhon Phanom | Ubon | Ratchthani |
Udon Thani | Uthai Thani
Eastern Thailand
Pattaya | Chonburi | Rayong | Trat
Central Thailand
Bangkok |
Ayutthaya | Sukothai | Kanchanaburi | Phetchaburi
| Prachuap | Khiri Khan | Lop Buri | Nakhon Nayok | Nakhon
Pathom | Ratchaburi | Samutprakarn
Southern Thailand
Koh Samet \ Phuket \ Krabi \ Phang-Nga Phuket \ Ranong
\ Songkhla \ Surat Thani \ Trang \ Chumphon \ Nakhon Si
Thammarat \ Narathiwat
