n yumunc viii 1 nyumunc viii 2 21,000 square miles from France along the History French Indochina border. Under the rule of the Khmer Empire However, Thais in an underground until its fall in the 13th century, the Kingdom resistance aided the Allies. This of Siam saw tumultuous changes in power Alliesresistance influenced Thailand to from conquering East-Asian forces, until its declare war on Britain and the US in 1942, recognition as a buffer state between the but the Thai ambassador in Washington British Empire and French Indochina. refused to announce the declaration. Thailand allied itself with Britain in World However, the Japanese were beginning to War I in 1917, remaining the only Southeast become a bothersome presence in Thailand, Asian country to not be colonized by a treating the ally more as a conquered European state. However, the treaties territory with the Japanese military established between Thailand, France and personnel requisitioning supplies. In 1944, England defined the borders to have the military was forced out of office and the Malaysia in the south, and Cambodia and first civilian government since 1932 was then Laos in the north-east, which would define formed. By 1945, Thailand had switched modern Thai political boundaries. sides and were in close alliance with the Desiring a more democratic union, a United States, which eventually led to a coalition of both military and civilian leaders membership in the UN. known as the Khana Ratsadon staged a Arrested as a war criminal in 1945 bloodless coup against the monarch, King but was released shortly after, Phibun took Prajadhipok in 1932. A constitutional over as Prime Minister following a coup in monarchy was then put in place. However, 1948 and conformed Thailand to western this new form of government was quickly standards by embracing anti-communist taken over by the military due to in-fighting ideals, supporting France against Indochina, and pressure of stabilization by external while improving secondary education and states. This new authoritarian regime was increasing military power. Thailand under the control of Luang Phibunsongkram provided naval, air and ground power for the who acted as an enforcer of strict regulations UN in the Korean until 1972. Under Phibun’s on multiple aspects of life such as life, leadership in 1954, Thailand would then join religion, and art, while suppressing the the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization influence of indigenous cultures. In order to (SEATO), and SEATO would even establish have a strong, unified nation with a collective their HQ in Bangkok. Phibun’s building identity and culture, everything was strictly democratic policy would not be enough to controlled by the government. It was based garner support, as he was overthrown again on this ideal that the name “Thailand” was in another bloodless coup in 1957. born, which means “Land of the Free” in Thailand’s pro-Western policy would Thai. extend even further by allowing the US to use When World War II erupted in 1939, Thai military bases while both governments Thailand declared a state of neutrality and sent troops to fight in South Vietnam. leaned more towards an alliance with Japan, However, with growing anti-American sending troops into French Indochina to sentiment and the pressure for establishing battle against the French after the European a republic, in October 13, 1973, 250,000 nation’s fall to Germany. The Thai protestors were rioted against the government used this opportunity to form government with 75 killed by . It was at this an alliance with Japan so that it could gain point that King Bhumibol intervened and 3 nyumunc viii forced the cabinet to resign. Sanya referred to as Red-Shirts won the elections Dharmasakti, Thammasak University with their Pheu Thai party. Meanwhile, president, would then take over as Prime Thailand have been heightened with Minister. However, this new civilian Cambodia over border disputes. An anti- government would prove to be ineffective, government faction rose in 2012 while and yet again, the military would take over identifying themselves as the Yellow-Shirts. the government in 1976, continuing a cycle In 2014, the military took over through in of overthrowing the government until the the form of a coup, and finally in 2016 the great depression of 1997. The IMF became citizens voted to allow the military to involved, yet the deterioration of the continue with their influence in politics. economy could not be halted. Chuan Leekpai, a former prime minister, came back into office due to public dissatisfaction with the previous prime minister. Government The Phak Thai Rak Thai (“Thai Loves A New Constitution Thai”) party won by a majority vote in the The Kingdom of Thailand is a House of Representatives in the first ever Constitutional Monarchy since 1932. Since election to the Senate in 2001. Due to May 2014, however, the country has had an accusations of corruption, a new poll took interim military-run government, and the place the next month. By then, the Thai Rak Constitution of 2007 was invalidated. On Thai party had joined additional parties and August 7th 2016, a public referendum for a reaffirmed their victory with Thakin new Constitution, the 20th Constitution of Chinnawat, a police lieutenant colonel, the country in 84 years, was held resulting in chosen as Prime Minister. Thaksin launched 62% of voters approving a new constitution several reforms such as: anti-drug giving the military continuing influence over campaigns, universal health care, and village the country's political life. Campaigning development funding. With bulding claims against the draft in the run-up to the of corruption and violence, Thaksin was then referendum was banned and dozens of imprisoned with Thai Rak Thai removed people were detained. Thailand's biggest from power. On December 26, 2004, a political parties rejected the constitution. tsunami hit the Andaman coast, killing more than 5,300 people and leaving 2,000 more The Military Junta missing. In 2005, the Phak Thai Rak Thai The ‘National Council for Peace and won the election, making Chinnawat became Order’ is the military junta that governs Prime Minister again in March before being Thailand. The alleged reasons for taking overthrown again the following year in a control are the “prolonged political military coup. deadlock, long-running protests, and General elections have occurred in recent violence”. The junta broadcasted, in May years, which have signaled a possible return 2014, the program “Bring Back Happiness to to civilian rule. The Thai Rak Thai party the Nation”, that describes what the next returned in the form of a new political party steps will be towards holding democratic called the People's Party Party (PPP) in elections; and focuses on national security 2007. By 2008 Thaksin fleed to Britain with and national administration. The plan is his family as continuous civilian protest divided in three phases: achieve national removed the PPP from government. Yet in conciliation, enactment of interim 2011, pro-Thakshin supporters, now 4 nyumunc viii Constitution and holding general elections, Budget Bureau, the National Security respectively. Council, the Juridical Council, the National Economic and Social Development Board, The Executive Branch and the the Board of Investment, the Civil Service Commission and several other organizations Monarch vital to the formulation of national policy. The executive branch of Thailand consists of the Monarch, whose position is hereditary. The monarch is the head of the The Judicial Branch armed forces and the upholder of every Thailand’s judicial system is religion. All the constitutions the country has composed of three courts: the Supreme had state that the monarch is sacred and Court of Justice, the Constitutional Court inviolable. His sovereign power emanates and the Supreme Administrative Court, and from the people, and he has power as head of its legal system is based on civic law with state. The monarch is empowered with the common law influences.The subordinate right to be consulted, the right to encourage courts are the courts of first instance and and the right to warn the government when appeals courts within both the judicial and it appears not to administer the state affairs administrative systems; and also the military for the good of the people. courts. With regards to Supreme Court, Also a part of the executive branch is judges are selected by the Judicial the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is Commission of the Courts of Justice and the head of government and chairman of the approved by the monarch; and the judge’s Cabinet. He is appointed by the monarch, term is determined by the monarch. and the Council of Ministers, which is Constitutional Court is composed of three nominated by the prime minister and judges drawn from the Supreme Court, two appointed by the king, with advice from a judges drawn from the Administrative Privy Council. Court, and four judge candidates selected by the Selective Committee for Judges of the Constitutional Court and confirmed by the Executive Senate. The terms vary between nine years In October 2016, after the King the or life-long appointments. Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda was named Regent pro tempore. The Regent’s appointment is in accordance with The Legislative Branch the 2007 Constitution, which mentions, in The legislative branch of Thailand’s Section 24, that the council president should government is still in transition. Before the act as regent when the throne is vacant – voting of the Constitution, although the 2007 charter was destroyed by however, Thailand’s legislative the 2014 coup, the 2014 interim charter uses branch was bicameral. its chapter on the King as a reference. Also The 500 members of the House of with regards to the executive branch, the Representatives (MPs) were elected country’s Deputy Prime Minister is Prayuth popularly.