Constitution Day on December 10 marks the day Thailand’s first permanent constitution was declared in 1932, replacing the temporary charter enacted following the Siamese Revolution that ended absolute monarchy in June of that year.
As it turned out, the 1932 constitution was far from permanent: The kingdom has seen 18 more constitutions since then, including seven interim charters introduced after military coups.
The country’s first constitution defined Thailand, which was then known as “Siam”, as a single, indivisible kingdom with the King serving as the head of state – effectively transforming the nation from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. This principle has been retained in all subsequent charters.
Joining a select club
Altogether, Thailand has had 20 constitutions since becoming a constitutional monarchy, joining the handful of countries with 20 or…
