The Thai Constitution-Making Process: A Constitutionalism Perspective

Tanaroj Lortanapaisan

Abstract

This study examines the challenges in the Thai constitution-making process from a constitutionalism perspective. Employing a qualitative research approach, we analyzed 20 processes of drafting the Thai constitution from secondary documents, comparing past and present processes. Our analysis is grounded in the concept of constitutionalism, which comprises four key criteria: the legality of the constitution-making process, the constitution-making organization, the role of political representatives, and public participation. The findings indicate that the Thai constitution-making process is largely inconsistent with constitutionalism principles, with most processes originating from coups or their continuations. Although recent efforts have improved the process's form, only 3-5 processes meet the constitutionalism criteria. The lack of public participation in the constitution-making process has resulted in a constitution lacking political equity, negatively impacting Thailand's democratic system stability and contributing to ongoing political crises.

 

Keywords: Constitutional process, Thailand, Constitutionalism, Thailand's democratic system.

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.40


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