Constitutional Monarchy in Thailand: How it stimulated activism movements?
What country in 21st century still practices constitutional monarchy or kingdom system in its country? Is it North Korea? No, North Korea practices communism with dictatorship from Kim Jong Eun. Australia can be one of the countries exercises constitutional monarchy. However, one of the most popular countries that practice constitutional monarchy is Thailand.
Since 13th century and 14th century when kingdom of Ayutthaya implemented system of absolute monarchy, monarchy was present in Thailand. King was head of the state and the kingdom, and he controlled whole decisions that are regarding with kingdom, and this is why the system was called “absolute” monarchy. This political regime was practiced until the revolution of 1932 brought constitutional monarchy to Thailand, and current government of Thailand is established in 1932.
In system of constitutional monarchy, even though prime minister is head of state, citizens have right to vote for specific parties. Political style in Thailand is very analogous to that of Britain and Australia. On the other hand, the main problem, point, and difference of Thailand’s political regime are that government in Thailand is “corrupted.”
The most significant concepts of corruptions of politics in Thailand are misallocations of budget, bribery, and priorities that are given to officials. Usually, most of officials bribe during the period of giving out salaries, and 10 to 30 percent of their expenditures are provided or “used” by government budget. Finally, amnesty bill of Thaksin in 2013 angered Thai citizens that government gives priorities to high-class people. In Global Corruption Barometer study in 2013, more than 70 percent (71 percent) of Thai respondents replied that police, political parties, and other officials in government are “extremely” corrupt.
It can be seen that main reason of protests or activism movements in Thailand is because of corruptions of Thailand government and officials, not political style or regime. Citizens needed change in their country, and they began to rebel in Bangkok in 2013 due to not only amnesty bill and but also general corruption in Thailand government.
Since 13th century and 14th century when kingdom of Ayutthaya implemented system of absolute monarchy, monarchy was present in Thailand. King was head of the state and the kingdom, and he controlled whole decisions that are regarding with kingdom, and this is why the system was called “absolute” monarchy. This political regime was practiced until the revolution of 1932 brought constitutional monarchy to Thailand, and current government of Thailand is established in 1932.
In system of constitutional monarchy, even though prime minister is head of state, citizens have right to vote for specific parties. Political style in Thailand is very analogous to that of Britain and Australia. On the other hand, the main problem, point, and difference of Thailand’s political regime are that government in Thailand is “corrupted.”
The most significant concepts of corruptions of politics in Thailand are misallocations of budget, bribery, and priorities that are given to officials. Usually, most of officials bribe during the period of giving out salaries, and 10 to 30 percent of their expenditures are provided or “used” by government budget. Finally, amnesty bill of Thaksin in 2013 angered Thai citizens that government gives priorities to high-class people. In Global Corruption Barometer study in 2013, more than 70 percent (71 percent) of Thai respondents replied that police, political parties, and other officials in government are “extremely” corrupt.
It can be seen that main reason of protests or activism movements in Thailand is because of corruptions of Thailand government and officials, not political style or regime. Citizens needed change in their country, and they began to rebel in Bangkok in 2013 due to not only amnesty bill and but also general corruption in Thailand government.