Translation:Royal Decree Dissolving the House of People's Representatives, 2549 BE

by 55th Cabinet of Thailand

Seal of the Royal Command

Royal Decree
Dissolving the House of People's Representatives,
2549 BE

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Bhumibol Adulyadej R
Given on the 24th day of February 2549 BE
Being the 61st year of the present reign

Phra Bat Somdet Phra Paramin Maha Bhumibol Adulyadej gives a great royal command by which He orders with His pleasure that it be announced as follows:

Whereas the Prime Minister has humbly made the following submission to Him: After the President of the House of People's Representatives made a submission to Him on the 9th day of March 2548 BE, asking Him to appoint a Prime Minister according to a resolution approved by a supramajority of Members of the House of People's Representatives who voted through open ballot at the House of People's Representatives, and [after] a Council of Ministers was formed to perform the public services of the State, public rallies have taken place to voice political demands. The demanding rallies, although initially held within the scope of law, have day by day extended in large scale and could become more violent whilst showing signs of confrontations with the factions that disagree with them to the point of possibly resulting in clashes, and there could be intervention by those wanting to see unrest in the Country, who would take the opportunity to trigger hostile feelings amongst each [faction], which could expand into tumultuous riots that are likely to be injurious to lives and property. Even though the authorities of the State have exercised their powers to control and watch [the situation] strictly, and even the Government has attempted to followed the process of the Constitution by seeking to open a general debate without voting at a meeting of the National Assembly, they are unsuccessful in solving the problems and the fundamentally different opinions between the demanding rallygoers and the Government as well as between the demanding rallygoers and the other groups that are at variance with them and intending to launch movements also, [resulting in] a possibility that clashes might ensue. The condition so described is surely not beneficial to the economy of the Country, the parliamentary politics and administration under the democratic regime, and the peace and order of the society, especially now, when [we] ought to build up unity and harmony, foster and preserve the state of being a secure, livable, and investable country, and propagate the majestic beauty and goodness in the Thai style for [the world] to see. As the ongoing problems arise from the varying opinions in the society which are still contradictory to the point of resulting in such a serious political conflict, it is difficult to take [any] other measures to ascertain the true will of the people so that every faction would be sure of it and agree to have it proceeded with through the mechanism of the democratic regime. Under the democratic regime, the way out which has been resorted to by various countries, and even by Thailand, is to surrender the power of making political decisions back to the people, by dissolving the House of People's Representatives for further organising a general election of new Members of the House of People's Representatives according to the provisions of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand;

Therefore, by virtue of the powers under the stipulations of section 116 and section 221 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, He orders with His gracious pleasure that the following Royal Decree be enacted:

Section⁠1.⁠This Royal Decree is called the "Royal Decree Dissolving the House of People's Representatives, 2549 BE".

Section⁠2.⁠This Royal Decree shall come into force from the day of its publication in the Royal Gazette onwards.

Section⁠3.⁠The House of People's Representatives shall be dissolved in order to enable an election of new Members of the House of People's Representatives.

Section⁠4.⁠A general election of Members of the House of People's Representatives shall take place on the 2nd day of April 2549 BE.

Section⁠5.⁠The Prime Minister and the President of the Election Commission shall be in charge of the execution of this Royal Decree.

Countersignatory:
Police Lieutenant Colonel Thaksin Shinawatra
Prime Minister

Bibliography

• "Phra Ratcha Kritsadika Yup Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon Phoso Song Phan Ha Roi Samsip Kao" [Royal Decree Dissolving the House of People's Representatives, 2549 BE]. (2006, 24 February). Ratchakitchanubeksa [Royal Gazette], 123(20A), 1–2. (In Thai).