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Thailand

Kingdom of Thailand

Civil lawConstitutional monarchyReviewed· 2026-08-03
Capital
Bangkok
Population
71,700,000
Languages
Thai
Currency
THB

Thailand · Constitution

Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand

The twentieth constitution, approved by referendum in 2016 and promulgated in April 2017 following the 2014 coup. It provides for a bicameral legislature, a Constitutional Court, and an extensive set of independent organs. Its distinctive features are structural constraints on elected government: a wholly appointed Senate for a transitional period with a role in selecting the Prime Minister, a binding twenty-year National Strategy that legislation and budgets must conform to, and a mixed-member apportionment system. Chapter III guarantees rights and liberties, and Chapter V imposes duties of the state.

The constitutional text

The twentieth constitution, approved by referendum in 2016 and promulgated in April 2017 following the 2014 coup. It provides for a bicameral legislature, a Constitutional Court, and an extensive set of independent organs. Its distinctive features are structural constraints on elected government: a wholly appointed Senate for a transitional period with a role in selecting the Prime Minister, a binding twenty-year National Strategy that legislation and budgets must conform to, and a mixed-member apportionment system. Chapter III guarantees rights and liberties, and Chapter V imposes duties of the state.

Separation of powers

Unitary and centralised, with 76 provinces headed by appointed governors plus Bangkok, which elects its own governor. Pattaya has a special administrative status. Local administrative organisations exist at municipal and sub-district level with limited functions, and the deep south provinces are subject to special security legislation.

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