Politics of Thailand

Data code: TH

Government type: Constitutional monarchy

Capital: Bangkok

Administrative divisions: 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural):

Amnat Charoen[?], Ang Thong[?], Buriram, Chachoengsao[?], Chai Nat[?], Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi[?], Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri[?], Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun[?], Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham[?], Mukdahan[?], Nakhon Nayok[?], Nakhon Pathom[?], Nakhon Phanom[?], Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat), Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nongbua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi[?], Pathum Thani[?], Pattani, Phang Nga, Phatthalung[?], Phayao[?], Phetchabun, Phetchaburi[?], Phichit[?], Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya[?], Phrae[?], Phuket, Prachin Buri[?], Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi[?], Rayong, Roi Et[?], Sa Kaeo[?], Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan[?], Samut Sakhon[?], Samut Songkhram[?], Sara Buri[?], Satun, Sing Buri[?], Sisaket[?], Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri[?], Surat Thani, Surin[?], Tak, Trang, Trat[?], Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani[?], Uttaradit[?], Yala, Yasothon[?].

Independence: 1238 (traditional founding date; never colonized)

National holiday: Birthday of His Majesty the King (see below), December 5

Constitution: new constitution signed by King Bhumibol on October 11, 1997

Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal and compulsory

Executive branch:
chief of state: King Bhumibol Adulyadej; since June 9, 1946; one of the longest reigning chiefs of state in the world; born December 5, 1927; Chakri dynasty.

head of government: Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra[?] (since January 2001). See also: List of Prime Ministers of Thailand
cabinet: Council of Ministers
note: there is also a Privy Council
elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; prime minister designated from among the members of the House of Representatives; following a national election for the House of Representatives, the leader of the party that can organize a majority coalition usually becomes prime minister

Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consists of the Senate or Wuthisapha (a 200-member elected body; members serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (a 500-member body after the next election; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held January 6, 2001

election results: House of Representatives - seats by party - Thai Rak Thai (TRT) 248 (NA), Democrat Party (DP) 128 (+5), Chart Thai (TNP) 41 (+2), Chart Pattana (NDP) 29 (-23), The New Aspiration (NAP) 36 (-89)

Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the monarch.

Political parties and leaders:

Thai Rak Thai or TRT - Thaksin Shinawatra[?]

Democratic Party or DP (Prachathipat Party) - Chuan Likphai

Liberal Democratic Party or LDP (Seri Tham) - Phinit Charusombat

Mass Party or MP - Chalerm Yoobamrung, Sophon Petchsavang]

National Development Party or NDP (Chat Phattana) - Kon Thappharangsi

New Aspiration Party or NAP (Khwamwang Mai) - General Chawalit Yongchaiyut

Phalang Dharma Party or PDP (Phalang Tham) - Chaiwat Sinsuwong

Social Action Party or SAP (Kitsangkhom Party) - Suwit Khunkitti

Solidarity Party or SP (Ekkaphap Party) - Chaiyot Sasomsap

Thai Citizen's Party or TCP (Prachakon Thai) - Samak Sunthonwet

Thai Nation Party or TNP (Chat Thai Party) - Banhan Sinlapa-acha.

International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, International Maritime Organization, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NAM, OAS (observer), OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR[?], UNMIBH, UNTAET, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Flag description: Five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white, and red

See also : Thailand