Translation:Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam, 2475 Buddhist Era
Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam[1]
[2]Let good happen![3] The time of the divine Buddhist religion has become the past for 2475 years! At the present moment, it is, in the lunar fashion, the 13th day of the waxing moon, the month of the Deer Head,[4] the year of the Ape,[5] or, under the solar calendar, the day of Śani,[6] the 10th solar day of the month of the Coming of the Bow.[7] The time has thus been determined![8]
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Paramin Maha Prajadhipok, Mahanta Dechana Dilok Ramathibodi, Thepphaya Priya Maha Ratcha Rawi Wong, Asamphinna Phong Phira Kasat, Burutsa Rat Ratcha Nikkarodom, Chaturanta Borom Maha Chakkraphat Ratcha Sangkat, Upphato Suchat Samsuttha Khrohani, Chakkri Boromma Nat, Chulalongkon Ratcha Warangkun, Maha Makutta Wong Wira Sun Chit, Ratcha Thamma Thotsa Phit Ukrittanibun, Adunya Kritsadaphinihan, Buraphathikan Su Sathit, Thanya Laksana Wichit Saowaphakkhaya Sanphang, Maha Chanottamangkha Manot, Sonthimot Samanta Samakhom, Boromma Ratcha Somphan, Thipphaya Thephawatan Phaisan Kiatti Khun, Adunlaya Sakdi Det, Sappha Thewet Pariyanurak, Mongkhon Lakkhana Nemahawai, Sukhothai Thamma Racha, Aphinaowa Sinlapa Sueksa Dechanawut, Wichai Yuttha Sat Koson, Wimon Nanya Phinit, Sutcharit Samachan, Phatthra Phitchayan Pradiphan Sunthon, Prawon Satsanopasadomphok, Mun Mukkha Mat Wora Nayok Maha Senani, Saratcha Nawi Phayuha Yotha Phayom Chon, Boromma Chettha Sothon Sommot, Ekka Ratchaya Yot Sathikhom, Boromma Ratcha Sombat, Noppha Paton Sawetta Chattradichat, Si Rattanopalaksana, Maha Boromma Rachaphisekaphisik, Sappha Thotsa Thik Wichit Decho Chai, Sakonla Mahaisawanya Maha Sawamin, Mahesuan Mahin Maha Ramathirat Warodom, Boromma Nat Chat Achanyasai, Phutthathi Trai Rat Saranarak, Wisit Sak Akkhra Naret Warathibodi, Metta Karuna Sitala Haruethai, Anopamai Bunya Kan, Sakonla Phaisan Maha Ratsadarathibotin, Poramin Thammikka Maha Rachathirat, Boromma Nat Bophit, Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua[9] —
makes His appearance at the Divine Hall of Eternal Union[10] amidst a full assembly of senior and junior members of the royalty, corps of diplomats representing various countries, House of Representatives Members, and military and civil royal officers, who, in unison and in sequence, are in attendance by the side of His lotus feet.[11]
With His gracious pleasure, He orders that the following remark of Him be announced: [When] the public servants, both civil and military, and the people under His authority informed Him, the Gracious Majesty, of their wish for Him to grant them a Constitution, so that the Kingdom of Siam would have an administration consistent with the practice of the civilised countries nowadays;
He entertained an opinion that for a full century and a half had Their Divine Majesties the Lords of the Land from the Grand Chakri Dynasty ascended and assumed the seat of majesty of the Siamese Country and carried out the royal policy for administration of the Kingdom under the regime of absolutism and under the tenfold royal virtue,[12] and tenderly had they maintained this Country that She had fully flourished, and now the people of Siam, who had all along enjoyed prosperity in various manners under the great royal government, had higher education that there were public servants so versed in the administration of the State, capable of leading their own Nation along the walk towards the universal civilisation of the World with ease, [for which reason] it was appropriate for Him to grant His public servants and people a great opportunity to have a say and play a part in improving the Siamese Country according to their right ideology for the prosperity of Hers in the future. Thus, with His greatly gracious pleasure, He conferred [upon them] on the 27th day of June 2475 Buddhist Era in accordance with [their] desire an interim Constitution for the public administration of Siam, just for enabling the House of Representatives and the People's Committee to organise the work of governance suiting the newly changed administration. Later on, He, with His pleasure, ordered the House of Representatives to discuss together and further draft the provisions and stipulations of a Constitution which should stay stable as an eternal pillar of the process of governance in time to come, for which purpose, by the House of Representatives, a Subcommittee was set up to draw up a draft of such Constitution.
Now, the Subcommittee has well and successfully fulfilled His mandate and repaid His benevolence by composing the permanent Constitution and introducing it to the House of Representatives, and the House of Representatives, after considering, discussing, and voting upon it, has humbly presented Him with advice and consent, stating that it is ready to be enacted as a Constitution for the administration of the State. And, having reviewed it with care and thoroughness, He finds it appropriate to express His great royal approval.
Therefore, He gives a great royal command by which He declares to all an order that a Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam be enacted, announced, and conferred upon His populace, so that they enjoy full autonomy from this very day on.
May this Constitution of our Kingdom be a sound and stable pillar endowed with excellent efficacy. May it be a wellspring of well-being, promising peace, and grandiose glory for the people in perpetuity. May it lead the Siamese Country to the achievement of all the various types of thriving triumph, all the diverse favourable outcomes, and immense and immortal fame. May the members of the royalty, either senior or junior, and the public servants, both military and civil, and all the people under His authority be united unanimously in preserving and observing this Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam, in order that it should stay beside the State of Siam, the Royal Realm, till the end of the epoch, in accordance with His great royal wish. May all of this be true!
Section1.The country of Siam is one and whole kingdom incapable of division.
The Siamese people, regardless of their origins or religions, are equally under the protection of this Constitution.
Section2.The sovereign power does come from all the Siamese people. The Monarch, who is the Head,[13] exercises such power only by virtue of the provisions of this Constitution.
Section3.The person of the Monarch[14] dwells in the position of revered worship,[15] which shall no one violate.
Section4.The Monarch must be a devotee of the Buddha[16] and is the supreme patron of religions.[17]
Section5.The Monarch holds the position of Head of the Siamese Armed Forces.
Section6.The Monarch exercises the legislative power by and with the advice and consent of the House of Representatives.
Section7.The Monarch exercises the executive power through the Council of Ministers.
Section8.The Monarch exercises the judicial power through the courts which have been established in accordance with the law.
Section9.Succession to the throne shall, Lord says,[18] be in accordance with the gist[19] of the Palace Law on Succession, 2467 BE, together with the approval of the House of Representatives.
Section10.Whenever the Monarch is to not reside in the Kingdom or, for any reason, is to be unable to handle His royal burdens, He will, with the approval of the House of Representatives, appoint to regency a single person or several persons collectively. If the Monarch has not appointed or is unable to appoint [any Regent], Lord ordains[18] that the House of Representatives shall discuss together and appoint [any Regent], and whilst no one has yet been appointed by the House of Representatives, Lord ordains that the Council of Ministers shall execute that duty[20] for the time being.
Section11.Senior and junior members of the royalty from the class of momchao[21] upwards, whether so born or appointed, do stay above politics.[22]
Section12.Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, persons are equal before the law. No rank of a social estate,[23] [whether obtained] by birth, by appointment, or by any other means, shall give rise to any kind of privilege at all.
Section13.Persons do have full freedom to profess any religion or doctrine[24] and do have freedom to perform rituals[25] according to their own believes, when these are not adverse to the duties of the citizens and are not contrary to public peace and order or morals.
Section14.Subject to the provisions of the law, persons do have full freedom of the person, abode, property, speech, writing, publication, education, public meeting,[26] establishment of associations, and occupation.
Section15.Persons have the duty to respect the law and have the duty to defend the Country and assist the public sector by means of paying taxes and other [means], subject to the conditions and in the manners provided by the law.
Section16.The House of Representatives[27] is composed of the Members who are elected by the people.
Section17.Qualifications of the electors and electoral candidates, as well as the electoral procedure and the number of the Members, shall be in accordance with the law on elections of Members of the House of Representatives.
Section18.Members of the House of Representatives shall be in their positions for a term of four years. If a position of Member becomes vacant for any other reason than retirement by rotation, a replacing Member shall be elected to fill the vacant position, but the Member admitted to fill the vacancy shall only be in the position for [a period] equivalent to the time limit pertaining to the person replaced by them.
Section19.Prior to assuming duties, a Member of the House of Representatives must affirm at a meeting of the House that he will preserve and observe this Constitution.
Section20.The Members of the House of Representatives do represent all the Siamese people, not only the persons electing them. They must perform the duties in accordance with their own wholehearted[28] opinion without being subject to any mandate or commitment.
Section21.A membership in the House of Representatives ends upon—
(1)retirement by rotation or dissolution of the House;
(2)death;
(3)resignation;
(4)lack of an electoral candidate qualification according to the law on elections of Members of the House of Representatives;
(5)a ruling of the House of Representatives removing [the Member in question] from his position, because he is found to have conducted himself in such a way that would bring about detriment to the House; the resolution on this issue must obtain a vote of not less than two thirds of the number of the attending Members.
Section22.The Monarch appoints [from amongst] the Members of the House of Representatives one as President of the House and one or several as Vice Presidents,[29] according to a resolution of the House.
Section23.The President of the House has the duty to carry out the affairs of the House in accordance with the rules. A Vice President has the duty to execute affairs on behalf of the President whenever the President is absent or unable to perform the duties.
Section24.Whenever the President and Vice Presidents are absent from a meeting, the Members shall elect [one amongst] themselves to serve as the president of the meeting for such meeting.
Section25.At every meeting, the Members in attendance must not be less than than one third of the total number of the Members in order that a quorum be met.
Section26.The passage of a resolution to rule upon a discussed issue shall adhere to the majority of votes as the rule, save in the businesses for which this Constitution has special provisions.
One Member does have one vote in voting. If there is a tie in the number of votes, the president of the meeting shall be able to give one additional vote as a casting vote.
Section27.At a meeting of the House, it is, Lord says, an absolute privilege for any Member to utter any word in such a way as to state a fact, or express an opinion, or cast a vote. No one shall take it as a ground for filing a proceeding or denunciation[30] against such Member in any manner.
This privilege extends its protection to those who print and publish meeting proceedings upon the order of the House, and also extends its protection to those who are invited by the House to state facts or express opinions at its meetings.
Section28.In each year, Lord ordains that there be one or several sessions as may be designated by the House. The first meeting must be designated in such a manner that allows the Members to meet within ninety days counted from the day the election is completed. Lord ordains that the day of commencement of an annual session be designated by the House.
Section29.Each ordinary session, Lord says, lasts for a time limit of ninety days, but the Monarch may allow extension thereof.
Furthermore, during such period of ninety days, He may allow closure of the session.
Section30.The Monarch convenes the House of Representatives according to its sessions, and opens and closes the sessions.
He may come to perform the ceremony of opening a session or may allow the Heir to the Throne who has already attained majority or the Prime Minister to execute the ceremony on His behalf.
Section31.When it is necessary for the benefit of the State, the Monarch may convene an extraordinary session of the House of Representatives.
Section32.When Members of the House of Representatives numbering not less than one third of their total number find it necessary for the benefit of the State, they do have the right to jointly request the President of the House to apply to the Monarch for convening an extraordinary session of the House. In this event, Lord ordains that the President of the House shall make an application [to the Monarch] and countersign His royal command.
Section33.During a session, [when] anyone files a criminal proceeding against a Member of the House, the court must, Lord says, obtain permission of the House before it can conduct the trial, and such trial must not obstruct the Member from attending a meeting.
Furthermore, the trial which the court has executed before there is a claim that the accused is a Member of the House of Representatives shall, Lord says, remain valid.
Section34.During a session, no Member of the House of Representatives shall be arrested or summoned to be confined, save where he is arrested in the commission of an offence. Nevertheless, this must be promptly reported to the President of the House and the President of the House may order the arrestee to be released from confinement.
Section35.The Monarch wields the prerogative to dissolve the House of Representatives in order to enable the people to elect its Members anew. In the royal decree for this dissolution of the House, the election of new Members must be scheduled to be conducted within ninety days.
Section36.All acts shall be enacted into laws by and with the advice and consent of the House of Representatives only.
Section37.An annual budget of the State must, Lord says, enacted as an act, and if the act cannot be issued in time with the new year, Lord ordains that the act for the previous year shall apply for the time being.
Section38.Once the House of Representatives has finished drafting a bill, the Prime Minister shall bring and present it to [the Monarch] in order that the Monarch would sign it, and once it has been published in the Royal Gazette, Lord ordains that it shall become applicable as a law.
Section39.If the Monarch disapproves such a bill and gives it back to the House within one month counted from the day it was brought and presented to Him by the Prime Minister or He fails to give it back to the House within such one month, the House must hold a new discussion and conduct a secret vote by means of roll call. And if the House passes the same resolution, Lord ordains that such bill shall be brought and presented to [the Monarch] once again. When the Monarch fails to sign it and give it back within fifteen days, Lord ordains that the act can be promulgated as a law.
Section40.The House of Representatives has the power to control the public services of the State.
At meetings, every Member has the right to interpellate a Minister on any matter which relates to the work under his duty, but the Minister does wield the right to withhold the answer when he finds that such a matter should not yet be disclosed as it relates to the safety or important benefit of the State.
Section41.The House does wield the right to pass a resolution of confidence upon the Ministers individually or collectively.
As regards a motion of confidence, Lord prohibits the passage of the resolution on the same day as the day of discussion.
Section42.The meetings of the House of Representatives are public, according to the modes that are to be designated in the regulations of the House. But there can be a secret meeting upon a request of the Council of Ministers or a joint request of not less than fifteen Members of the House of Representatives.
Section43.The House of Representatives has the power to select its Members to form standing committees and has the power to select the persons who are its Members or are not even its Members to form select committees for executing any affairs or considering or inquiring into any matters which fall within its purview and making reports to it. The said committees do have the power to summon any persons to appear and give explanations or express opinions in relation to the affairs they are executing or considering.
The privilege provided in section 27 shall, Lord says, also extend its protection to the persons who execute the duties under this section.
Section44.At meetings of a committee under section 43, Lord says that the members in attendance must not be not less than half of the number [of its members] in order that a quorum be met.
Section45.The House of Representatives has the power to establish regulations on the conduct of meetings and discussions of the House for the implementation of the provisions of this Constitution.
Section46.The Monarch establishes a Council of Ministers[29] composed of one Premier[31] and other Ministers who are fourteen at least, twenty-four at most.
In appointing a Prime Minister, the President of the House gives a countersignature.
The Council of Ministers shall have the duty to handle the public services of the State.
Section47.The Prime Minister and fourteen other Ministers[29] must be selected from amongst the Members of the House of Representatives. The rest may be selected from amongst the persons who are found to have special knowledge and expertise, even though they are not Members of the House of Representatives; but they must be able to hold political positions.
Section48.The Ministers who are not Members of the House of Representatives do have the right to attend meetings of and express opinions at the House of Representatives, but they have no right to vote.
As for the privilege provided in section 27, Lord ordains that it shall also apply mutatis mutandis.
Section49.The appointment of a Member of the House of Representatives as a Minister does not require the appointee to resign from the membership.
Section50.In handling the public services of the State, the Council of Ministers must perform its duties with the confidence of the House of Representatives.
The Ministers who have been appointed to take charge of ministries, subministries, or services must be constitutionally responsible to the House of Representatives for their own duties, and all of the Ministers, whether or not having been appointed to take charge of ministries, bureaus, or services, must jointly be responsible for the general policy of the Government.
Section51.The Ministers must collectively retire from their positions upon a resolution of no confidence passed by the House of Representatives or upon the end of the House of Representatives which gave confidence to them at the time of their assumption of duties. In both events, the retired Council of Ministers must, Lord says, remain in position in order to continue carrying out activities until a newly established Council of Ministers assumes duties.
Apart from this, a ministership individually ends upon—
(1)death;
(2)resignation;
(3)lack of the qualification under section 21(4);
(4)a resolution of no confidence passed by the House of Representatives.
Section52.In case of emergency in which it is unable to convene the House of Representatives in good time, the Monarch may enact an emergency decree to be applied as an act.
At the next meeting of the House of Representatives, Lord ordains that such emergency decree be introduced to the House for approbation. If approbated by the House, the emergency decree continues to be an act. If reprobated by the House, the emergency decree lapses; however, this does not affect the affairs which took place during the application of such emergency decree.
The expression by the House of the said approbation and reprobation shall, Lord says, be made as an act.
Section53.The Monarch promulgates martial law, according to the modes and procedure under the Martial Law Act.
Section54.The Monarch wields the prerogative to announce war, conclude written agreements[32] of peace or armistice, and conclude other written agreements with all countries.
Such announcement of war will be made only when it is not contrary to the provisions of the Covenant of the League of Nations.
Any written agreement which provides for a change in the territory of Siam or requires the issuance of an act for its implementation must, Lord says, obtain approval of the House of Representatives.
Section55.The Monarch wields the prerogative to grant pardon.
Section56.The Monarch wields the prerogative to enact royal decrees which are not contrary to the law.
Section57.Subject to sections 32 and 46, legal provisions, royal rescripts,[33] and royal commands of any kind, which relate to the public services of the State, must, Lord says, be countersigned by a Minister as the person responsible therefor.
Section58.Trial and adjudication of cases are, Lord says, the exclusive power of the courts, which must be carried out in accordance with the law and in the name of the Monarch.
Section59.All courts can only be established by acts.
Section60.Judges are independent in trying and adjudicating upon cases in accordance with the law.
Section61.Any provision of a law which contains a matter inconsistent with or contrary to this Constitution is, Lord says, void.
Section62.Lord says that the House of Representatives wields the absolute right to interpret this Constitution.
Section63.This Constitution shall only be amended in accordance with the following conditions:
1.Lord says that a motion for amendment must be, in one way, from the Council of Ministers or, in the other way, jointly from Members of the House of Representatives numbering not less than one fourth of the total number of the Members;
2.when the Members have passed a resolution once, Lord ordains that [the motion] be put off for one month; upon elapse of [this time] limit, [the motion] shall be introduced to the House for passage of a resolution once again;
3.Lord ordains that the voting shall be conducted by means of roll call and the amendment must be approved by a vote of not less than three fourths of the total number of the Members.
When the voting for passage of resolutions has taken place as said above, Lord ordains that it shall then be proceeded with in accordance with the provisions of sections 38 and 39.
Section64.Subject to the provisions of this chapter, this Constitution shall come into force as from the day of its announcement onwards.
Section65.As long as over half of the total number of the people having the right to vote in elections of Members of the House of Representatives in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution have not yet graduated from basic primary education [schools], and at the latest not more than ten years counted from the day[34] of coming into force of the Act on Interim Charter for Public Administration of Siam, 2475 BE, the House of Representatives is composed of two types of Members in equal numbers:
(1)the 1st Type Members are those elected by the people in accordance with the conditions under the provisions of sections 16 and 17;
(2)the 2nd Type Members are those appointed by the Monarch in accordance with the Act on Elections of Members of the House of Representatives During the Time the Transitory Provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam Are in Force, 2475 Buddhist Era.
Section66.If, during the time limit as said in section 65, it happens that the House is dissolved in accordance with the stipulations of section 35, Lord ordains that elections of new Members shall be held in relation to the 1st Type Members only.
Section67.Subject to section 21(2), (3), (4), and (5), Lord declares that the 2nd Type Members can remain in their positions throughout the time designated in section 64, but Lord prohibits the House from meeting and carrying out its activities during the time the House is dissolved in accordance with the stipulations of section 35.
Section68.During the time from the coming into force of this Constitution until the assumption of duties by the Members under section 65, Lord declares that the House of Representatives shall continue to be composed of the Members already in existence in accordance with the Act on Interim Charter for Public Administration of Siam, 2475 BE.
Countersignatory:
- Phraya Manapakonnitithada
- President of the People's Committee
- Phraya Manapakonnitithada
Notes[edit]
- ↑ The Secretariat of the House (1932a, pp. 13–14; 1932b, p. 270): The constitution was drafted by a subcommittee of the House consisting of Luang Praditmanutham, Luang Sinatyotharak, Phraya Manawaratchasewi, Phraya Manopakonnitithada, Phraya Nitisatphaisan, Phraya Pridanaruebet, Phraya Siwisanwacha, Phraya Ratchawangsan, and Phraya Thepwithun.
- ↑ The Secretariat of the House (1932d, p. 587): This constitution originally had no preamble. This preamble was actually an announcement read at the ceremony of signing the constitution on 10 December 1932. The announcement was written by Phra Saraprasoet.
- ↑ The preamble opens with the traditional exclamation supphamatsadu (Thai: ศุภมัสดุ), which the Royal Society of Thailand (2013) defines as "'let there be goodness', used in the beginning or ending of a formal announcement or important text, such as a royal announcement". Etymologically, it is from Sanskrit śubhamastu.
- ↑ The first month of the Thai lunar calendar, named after the Hindu month of Mṛgaśīrṣa.
- ↑ The zodiac sign of Monkey.
- ↑ Saturday, named after the Hindu god Śani.
- ↑ December, known in Thai as Thanwakhom (Thai: ธันวาคม), which literally translates as "Coming of the Bow (Sagittarius)".
- ↑ The Secretariat of the House (1932c, p. 357): Royal astrologers gave King Prajadhilok three dates as the best dates for signing this constitution, including 1 December 1932, 10 December 1932, and an unmentioned date in the middle of January 1933. 10 December 1932 was chosen.
- ↑ The full title of King Prajadhipok. In fact, each part should be written without space (e.g. "Mahantadechanadilokramathibodi, Thepphayapriyamaharatcharawiwong, etc").
- ↑ The throne hall Ananta Samakhom. Etymological, the name is from Sanskrit ananta ("endless, boundless") and samāgama ("union, assembly").
- ↑ The Royal Society of Thailand (2015, pp. 46–47): The term lotus feet refers to the feet of a king. It might have originated from the fact that the king, when seated on the throne, has his feet supported by a lotus-shaped base, or might be from the Buddhist belief that the Buddha, when he was an infant, walked seven steps and from each step sprang a lotus flower, or might be just a metaphoric reference to the feet of a revered one.
- ↑ A Buddhist principle, known is Pali as dasavidha-rājadhamma.
- ↑ The constitution did not make it clear what head it was referring to here (as head of state, head of government, or something else?). The term pramuk (Thai: ประมุข), here translated as "head", is defined by the Royal Society of Thailand (2013) as "one who has supremacy over or has charge of, for example, a country or religion". Etymologically, it is from Sanskrit pramuka ("leader, chief").
- ↑ The term phra maha kasat (Thai: พระมหากษัตริย์), here translated as "monarch", consists of the honorific modifiers phra ("divine") and maha ("great") and the headword kasat, which the Royal Society of Thailand (2013) defines as "lord of the land". Etymologically, kasat is from Sanskrit kṣatriya, meaning a member of the kṣatriya caste.
- ↑ According to the Royal Society of Thailand (2013), the term sakkara (Thai: สักการะ), here translated as "to worship", means "to worship with things or instruments proper for worshiping, such as flowers, joss sticks, or candles". Etymologically, it is from Pali sakkāra ("hospitality, accommodation, etc").
- ↑ According to the Royal Society of Thailand (2013), the term phutthamamaka (Thai: พุทธมามกะ), here translated as "devotee of the Buddha", means "one who announces that the Buddha is his own teacher, one who announces that he himself professes Buddhism". Etymologically, it is from Pali buddha ("Buddha") and māmaka ("devoted to, loving").
- ↑ The term akkhrasatsanupathamphok (Thai: อัครศาสนูปถัมภก), here translated as "supreme patron of religions", is a combination of the following words: akkhra ("top, excellent"), from Sanskrit agra ("idem"); satsana ("religion"), from Sanskrit śāsana ("instruction, command"); and uppathamphok ("patron, supporter, upholder"), from Pali upathambhaka ("idem").
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 This constitution retained the traditional style of writing a law as a command from someone whom it referred to with a third-person pronoun of high respect, than (Thai: ท่าน). The pronoun is here translated as "Lord" because the said style was probably influenced by the old belief that laws are created by gods, not by humans. This belief was stated in the preamble of every law enacted in the reign of Rama I, which said that a hermit by the name of Manosan (Thai: มโนสาร) flied to the Walls of the Universe and found laws inscribed there by deities, and he memorised them and flied back to the Earth before writing them as legal scriptures for use by humans (Royal Society of Thailand, 2015, pp. 7–8).
- ↑ According to the Royal Society of Thailand (2013), the term nai (Thai: นัย), here translated as "gist", means (1) essence, essential part; (2) significance, meaning; (3) way, manner; (4) point, side. Etymologically, it is from Pali naya ("method, plan").
- ↑ This constitution did not clearly say what duty/duties it was referring to here. It could be the official duty/duties of the monarch, or the duty of the House to appoint a Regent.
- ↑ The Royal Society of Thailand (2013):
- Senior (Thai: พระบรมวงศ์) refers to the members of the royalty from the chief consort of a monarch to phra-ongchao who are children of a monarch.
- Junior (Thai: พระอนุวงศ์) refers to the members of the royalty who are (1) phra-ongchao that are not children of a monarch, and (2) momchao.
- Momchao (Thai: หม่อมเจ้า) is (1) a child of a prince and his wife who is a commoner or is a momchao, or (2) a child of a phra-ongchao.
- Phra-ongchao (Thai: พระองค์เจ้า) is (1) a child of a prince and his wife who is phra-ongchao, (2) a child whose father and mother are both phra-ongchao, (3) a child of a king and his commoner concubine, or (4) a commoner who has been given this title.
- ↑ Literally, "do stay in the status above politics".
- ↑ Thanandonsak (Thai: ฐานันดรศักดิ์) literally translates as "estate rank". It is a compound consisting of thanandon ("estate", as in estates of the realm) and sak ("rank").
- ↑ The term latthi (Thai: ลัทธิ), here translated as "doctrine", is defined by the Royal Society of Thailand (2013) as "[a set of] practices, believes, opinions, and principles accepted, observed, and followed continuously, such as socialism, nationalism, [or] capitalism". Etymologically, it is from Pali laddhi ("creed, belief").
- ↑ The term phithikam (Thai: พิธีกรรม), here translated as "ritual, is defined by the Royal Society of Thailand (2013) as "worship; norms or forms that are observed religiously".
- ↑ This constitution employed the term kanprachum (Thai: การประชุม; "meeting") here. In modern usage, it is replaced by kanchumnum (Thai: การชุมนุม; "assembly").
- ↑ The name of the organisation, Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (Thai: สภาผู้แทนราษฎร), literally translates as "Assembly of People's Deputies". But its official title in English is "House of Representatives".
- ↑ The idiom borisut chai (Thai: บริสุทธิ์ใจ), here translated as "wholehearted", literally translates as "[with] pure heart" or "mentally pure". It is a compound consisting of borisut ("pure, innocent") and chai ("heart, mind"). The Royal Society of Thailand (2013) defines it as "sincere, genuine, not adulterated by any other intention".
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 29.2 The Thai text classifies these officers with the masculine classifier nai (Thai: นาย), thus implying that these positions were only for males.
- ↑ The term fong-rong (Thai: ฟ้องร้อง), here translated as "to proceed (against)", is defined by the Royal Society of Thailand (2013) as "to allege, to accuse". The term wa-klao (Thai: ว่ากล่าว), here translated as "to denounce", is defined by the Royal Society of Thailand (2013) as "to censure, to admonish,...to reprimand". Pallegoix (1896, p. 1905) interestingly defined wa-klao as "to speak in favour of some one", but the meaning seems to have changed by the time of this document.
- ↑ The Thai text uses the term nayok (Thai: นายก) here, which is apparently a clipping of nayok ratthamontri (Thai: นายกรัฐมนตรี; "prime minister").
- ↑ The traditional term nangsue sanya (Thai: หนังสือสัญญา) literally translates as "writing of agreement" (writing bearing an agreement). It is a compound consisting of nangsue ("writing") and sanya ("agreement"). In 2008, the Constitutional Court of Thailand ruled that the term nangsue sanya in the Constitution referred to a treaty (Khamwinitchai..., 2008, pp. 20–21).
- ↑ The term hatthalekha (Thai: หัตถเลขา), here translated as "rescript", literally translates as handwriting". It literally refers to any document handwritten by a monarch, but it can also be found typed. Compare this provision with article 55 of the Constitution of Japan (1889, p. 6), which stated "All Laws, Imperial Ordinances, and Imperial Rescripts of whatever kind, that relate to the affairs of the State, require the countersignature of a Minister of State."
- ↑ 27 June 1932.
Bibliography[edit]
Original[edit]
- "Ratthathammanun Haeng Ratcha-anachak Sayam" [Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam]. (1932, 10 December). Ratchakitchanubeksa [Royal Gazette], 49, 529–551. (In Thai).
References[edit]
- "Khamwinitchai Khong San Ratthathammanun Thi Hok Thueng Chet Thap Song Ha Ha Nueng" [Ruling of the Constitutional Court No. 6–7/2551]. (2008, 10 October). Ratchakitchanubeksa [Royal Gazette], 125(108A), 1–60. (In Thai).
- Pallegoix, Jean-Baptiste (1896). Siamese French English Dictionary. Bangkok: Imprimerie de la Mission Catholique.
- Royal Society of Thailand (2013). "Photchananukrom Chabap Ratchabandittayasathan Photo Song Phan Ha Roi Hasip Si" [Royal Institute Dictionary, 2554 BE]. Office of the Royal Society of Thailand (in Thai).
- Royal Society of Thailand (2015). Kotmai Tra Sam Duang: Phra Thammasat Lae Lak Inthaphat Chabap Ratchabandittayasapha [Law of Three Seals: Phra Thammasat and Lak Inthaphat, Royal Society Version] (in Thai). Bangkok: Office of the Royal Society of Thailand. ISBN 978-616-389-016-0.
- Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Siam (1932a). Rai-ngan Kanprachum Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon Khrang Thi Nueng Thap Song Si Chet Ha [Proceedings of the Meeting of the House of Representatives 1/2475] (in Thai). Bangkok: Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Siam.
- Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Siam (1932b). Rai-ngan Kanprachum Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon Khrang Thi Yisip Chet Thap Song Si Chet Ha [Proceedings of the Meeting of the House of Representatives 27/2475] (in Thai). Bangkok: Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Siam.
- Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Siam (1932c). Rai-ngan Kanprachum Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon Khrang Thi Samsip Si Thap Song Si Chet Ha [Proceedings of the Meeting of the House of Representatives 34/2475] (in Thai). Bangkok: Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Siam.
- Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Siam (1932d). Rai-ngan Kanprachum Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon Khrang Thi Sisip Sam Thap Song Si Chet Ha [Proceedings of the Meeting of the House of Representatives 43/2475] (in Thai). Bangkok: Secretariat of the House of Representatives of Siam.
- The Constitution of Japan: With the Laws Appertaining Thereto, and the Imperial Oath and Speech. Yokohama: "Japan Gazette" Office. 1889.
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