The execution of laws is carried out by the civil service, whose members are known as kharatchakan, servants of the king. The bureaucracy, particularly the Ministry of Interior, has always enjoyed a significant degree of autonomy in administering the country. Thailands government has varied substantially in form since 1932 20 constitutions and charters have been in place since then, right up the latest one in 2017, resulting in Thailand having the fourth most coups in the world. As head of the executive branch, is also the leader of the Cabinet of Thailand. The country has diverse ecosystems ranging from forest ranges to rugged coastlines. The Thais first began settling their present homeland in the 6th century, and by the end of the 13th century ruled most of the western portion. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy under the beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who has reigned since 1946. The leader of the council was named interim prime minister in late August. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2020 worldatlas.com, Thailand Animals - Animals That Live in Thailand. A marked devolution of power has taken place since the 1980s. The country has a population of over 65 million people and covers an area of 198,000 square miles. Thailand used to be called Siam until the government changed from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 1939. Formerly called Siam, Thailand has never experienced foreign colonization. The Government of Thailand, or formally the Royal Thai Government, is the unitary government of the Kingdom of Thailand. 10 The Flag Cannot be Flown Upside-Down. During the next 400 years, they fought sporadically with the Cambodians to the east and the Burmese to the west. The constitution of 2007 (largely based on that of 1997) provides for the direct election of members of the lower house of the Assembly, the House of Representatives, to four-year terms, five-sixths from single-member districts and the remainder based on proportional representation from the political parties. The administrative court settles disputes between the states and state organs. Facebook; Prev Article Next Article . Buddhist religion, the monarchy and the military have helped to shape The country has been ruled by a military junta since 2014 and has had 17 constitutions in its history. Homo erectus, dated to between 1.6-0.5 million years ago, has been discovered here.Later prehistoric periods include the emergence of agriculture some 6,000-7,000 years ago, the Bronze Age around 4,000 years ago, and an early form of urbanization at about 2,300-2,500 years ago. 10 Facts About Education in Thailand In Thailand , a Southeast Asian country boasting scenic coastlines and rich religious history, literacy soars while achievement rates remain comparatively low. The constitutional monarchy replaced the absolute monarchy after the Revolution of 1932. However, the idea of parliamentary government, first enshrined in the constitutions of the 1930s, never totally disappeared. The capital is Bangkok. The land in between has lush jungles and stunning beaches. Power is exercised by the bicameral National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, and the courts in accordance with the provisions of the constitution and laws passed by the National Assembly. Siam, as Thailand was officially called until 1939, was never brought under European colonial domination. The same year, the national assembly elected Gen. Prem Tinsulanonda as prime minister. Since that time, Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy, and all subsequent constitutions have provided for an elected parliament. Though the government invests generously in public education, the nation at large fails to measure up to global academic standards. Britannica Kids Holiday Bundle! What Were the Main Causes of World War II? A significant aspect of the legal reforms of the late 19th century was the creation of an independent judiciary. It covers an area of 198,120 square miles. Thailands judiciary is made up of four separate systems. The Senate plays an almost insignificant role in legislation but retains a lot of powers on appointments of the members of the judiciary and other government agencies. The premier is the head of the major party in the House of Representatives. Since Thailand became the 47 th member of the World Bank on May 3, 1949, the Kingdom of Thailand and the World Bank Group have built a strong and productive partnership which has evolved from one focused on traditional lending and advice into an innovative knowledge-based partnership that reflects Thailands dynamic middle-income status. Thailand is the only country in south-east Asia to have escaped colonial rule. In May 2014, following a military coup, the 2007 constitution was suspended (except provisions pertaining to the monarchy), and a council of military leaders took power. Prem continued as prime minister following the Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with the monarch as the head of state. It has an area of 513,120 square km. The national assembly consists of 630 members. The modernizing government of King Chulalongkorn also received legal advice from British advisers. Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that was never colonized by an European country. The Revolution of 1932 brought an end to absolute monarchy and replaced it with a constitutional monarchy. It has four bordering countries that are Following a parliamentary election, the parties with the most legislative seats typically form a coalition government. Yingluck Shinawatra is the first female prime minister of Thailand, the sister of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra assumed power in August 2011. Ethnic groups . A coup in 1932 demoted the monarc Baht () (THB) is its official currency. Until 1939 (and again from 1946 to 1948) Thailand was called Siam. 1. He or she is selected by election in the lower house of parliament and approved by the king. Bangkok is its capital state and Thai is its official language. By far the most significant of the local governing bodies are those in the major cities, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Pattaya. The current government, adopted in 1932, is similar to England a democratic system with a Monarch sitting as Head of State. He is the head of the Thai forces and defender of all faith despite being required to be a Buddhist. Although no laws have prevented women from involvement in politics, few women have stood for election to the legislature. [7] Thailand is slightly larger than the size of Wyoming at 198,115 square miles (513,115 sq km). Thailand is the world's 50th largest country, just slightly larger than Spain. Like military politicians, however, elected officials often have used their power to advance their own private interests rather than those of the society as a whole. Facts and statistics about the Government type of Thailand. Thailand has been ruled by a succession of military leaders after a coup detat. The most prominent religion of Thailand, which is also the national religion, is Thailand is located in the central region of the Indochinese peninsula in southeast Asia. 20. He or she is selected by election in the lower house of parliament and approved by the king. Thailand's current Prime Minister is Yingluck Shinawatra, who assumed office as the first-ever female in that role on August 5, 2011. He or she represents the country abroad and also formulates the countrys foreign policies. Independent Siam was ruled by an absolute monarchy until a revolution there in 1932. All of these documents have provided for a National Assembly with a prime minister as head of government. Thailand respects the third gender well, and has public bathrooms for transgender males, along with conventional male and female. Geography: Land: 513,115 sq. History. Government . The succession to the throne is guided by the 1924 Palace Law of Succession which allows only the males are allowed to ascend the throne while crown is passed from father to son only. The constitution limits the powers of the king, but he remains a key figure in Thailand. Thailand had a sophisticated legal system before Western influences led it to adopt a system of jurisprudence based on European models. The British gained a colonial foothold in the region in 1824, but by 1896 an Anglo-French accord guaranteed the independence of Thailand. Some of Thailands facts and figures in a nutshell. In 2007 Thai Rak Thai, the party of the ousted prime minister, was dissolved, and a new party, People Power Party, was formed; it was widely viewed as the reincarnation of Thai Rak Thai. The premier is the head of the major party in the House of Representatives. 4 years ago. Interesting facts about Thailand. Legislation originates in the House of Representatives, but it can be modified or rejected by the Senate. Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates. Which Countries Were First To Elect Women Leaders? It is composed of 500 members of whom 375 are elected from the constituencies around the country while the 125 are selected from the party list. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The name means land of the free, and in fact, Thailand has never been conquered by another country. In the 1990s three new provinces were carved out of the existing ones, resulting in a total of 76. The premier heads the executive branch and also heads the Cabinet of Thailand. The judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislative branches. Malays, upland peoples, and new immigrants, The early Chakri kings and a resurgent Siam, Mongkut and the opening of Siam to the West, Chulalongkorn and the foundations of modern Thailand, The 1932 coup and the creation of a constitutional order, The Phibunsongkhram dictatorship and World War II, The postwar crisis and the return of Phibunsongkhram, Military dictatorship, economic growth, and the reemergence of the monarchy, Partial democracy and the search for a new political order. At the time of the 2010 census, the average Thai household size was 3.2 people. He is the head of state and has plays some roles in the functions of the government. The government of Thailand is a unitary government with the country emerging as a modern state after the the founding of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782. It borders the countries of Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Although the sovereignty of Thailand is vested in the people, the king exercises sovereignty through the three branches of government. It also requires the prime minister to be a member of the House of Representatives. The Thais Cabinet is composed of 35 ministers and deputy ministers who are in charge of cabinet ministries. The Parliament of Thailand is bicameral, composing of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representative is the legislative house. In 1997, communes (tambon), units consisting of several villages, were given increased powers and the authorization to elect members of tambon administrative organizations. There are 1,430 islands in Thailand, 35,000 temples and nearly 67 million people comprise of Thailands population. [7] Seventy five percent of the people in Thailand are Thai, 14% are Chinese, and 11% are other.. While almost every government since 1932 has accepted constitutional authority, the country has had 17 constitutions, the most recent drafted in 2007. Other court systems include the military courts and the constitutional court. km. In 1970, an average of 5.7 people lived in a Thai household. Most of the cabinet ministers are members of the lower house although this is not a mandatory requirement. You might be in for a surprise once you finish reading this list of some of the most interesting facts about Thailand. The house is led by the Speaker while the leader of the largest party is likely to become the prime minister. Throughout this time, the form of government has ranged from military dictatorship to electoral democracy, but all governments have acknowledged a hereditary monarch as the head of state. The premier heads the executive branch and also heads the Cabinet of Thailand. Fun & Interesting Facts About Thailand Once known as Siam, the Kingdom of Thailand is a long, skinny country running over 1,400 miles in length from top to toe. 17. What Type Of Government Does Switzerland Have? The country is a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. PRIME MINISTER is the Head of Government of Thailand The Prime Minister is, in accordance with the constitution, selected; first by an election in the lower house then officially appointed by the King. Thailand is a constitutional monarchy with the monarch as the head of state. Major political parties since the 1990s have included the New Aspiration Party, Democrat Party, National Development Party, Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais), Thai Nation, Social Action Party, and Thai Citizens Party. Its official name is actually the Kingdom of Thailand. A procession during the Hae Pha Khuen That festival of Wat Phra Mahathat. Thailand is the only country in Southeast Asia that was never colonized by a European country. Thailand encompasses some of the oldest settled areas in the world. Thailand is a country at the center of the Indochinese peninsula in Southeast Asia. Vehicular traffic in Thailand drives on the left. Understanding The Relationship Between Hong Kong And China, Presidents Who Did The Most To Improve Black Rights. The country emerged as a modern nation state after the foundation of the Chakri Dynasty and the city of Bangkok in 1782. Political parties, banned after the coup, gained limited freedom in 1980. Government. In 2004 natural gas consumption of 1,055 billion cubic feet (2.99-1010 m3) exceeded domestic production of 790 billion cubic feet (2.2-1010 m3). The United States is third largest. The prime minister has the powers to appoint and dismiss ministers and is the main spokesperson for the government. 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