Kings, Country and Constitutions: Thailand's Political Development 1932-2000

by Suwannathat-Pian,Kobkua

• ISBN13: 9780700714735
• ISBN10: 0700714731
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-04-18
• Publisher: RoutledgeCurzon

Summary

Provides a detailed analysis of Thailand's political development since 1932, when Thailand became a constitutional monarchy, until the present. It examines the large number of different versions of the constitution, which Thailand has had since 1932, and explains why the constitution has been subject to such frequent change, and why there have been so many outbursts of violent, political unrest. It explores the role of the military, and, most importantly, discusses the role of the monarchy, which, as the author shows, has been crucial in holding Thailand together through the various changes of regime. The author brings to light original and largely unseen documents from the Public Records Office and US National Archives, as well as drawing upon her extensive knowledge of politics in Thailand.

Author Biography

Kobkua Suwannathat-Pian is Dean of the Institute of Liberal Studies, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations	vii
Preface and Acknowledgements	ix
The Chakri Dynasty	xi
The Present Royal Family	xii
PART I ANALYSIS OF THAI CONSTITUTIONS	1	(68)
Understanding Thai Democracy	3	(27)
Form Rather than Substance	3	(5)
Development of Democracy a la Thailand	8	(22)
The Paw Khun Style of Democracy/the Thai Buddhist Democracy	9	(6)
The Limited/Guided Democracy or Prachathipatai Khreung Bai	15	(5)
The Traditionalist Style of Democracy	20	(10)
Analysis of the Constitutions	30	(39)
The Politicians' Version of the Constitution	31	(23)
The Constitutions: the People's Party Version	33	(14)
The Constitutions: the Conservative-Royalist Versions	47	(7)
The Constitutions: the Military Versions	54	(4)
The Constitutions: the Post-1972 Version	58	(4)
The Royal Version of Constitutional Monarchy	62	(7)
PART II REALITY: THE PRACTICE OF CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY, 1932-1952	69	(74)
King Prajadhipok's Experience	71	(43)
Biographical Survey	71	(43)
King Prajadhipok's Idea of Constitutional Monarchy	85	(16)
A Constitutional Monarch's Bitter Experience	101	(13)
The Experience of a Minor Monarch	114	(29)
Royal Biography: King Ananda Mahidol, 1935-1946	115	(3)
Tension and Conflict	118	(10)
The Throne Eclipsed	128	(4)
Death of a King	132	(5)
The Minority of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, 1946-1952	137	(6)
PART III REALITY: THE COMING OF AGE OF THAI CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY, 1952-2000	143	(67)
The Hard Struggle	145	(36)
Biographical Outline	145	(4)
Political Struggle	149	(19)
A Turbulent Apprenticeship, 1951-1957	149	(6)
Partnership with the Military Junta, 1957-1963	155	(8)
On His Own, 1963-1973	163	(5)
Supreme and Undisputed Pillar of the Nation, 1973-1990s	168	(13)
The Royal Climb to the Pinnacle of the Nation	181	(29)
Royal Assets	182	(19)
Personal Attributes and the Royal Family	182	(6)
King-People Relations	188	(8)
Financial Independence	196	(5)
Royal Liabilities	201	(9)
Succession	201	(5)
Personal Nature of the Monarchy	206	(4)
Notes	210	(53)
Select Bibliography	263	(8)
Index	271