Thailand
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- constitutional monarchy; note - interim military-affiliated government since May 2014 Constitutional monarchy - provisional military government since May 2014
- CONSTITUTION
- many precedents; final draft concluded on March 29, 2016, approved by referendum on August 7, 2016, signed by the king on April 6, 2017; note - the final version has several amendments not reflected in the one adopted by the referendum (2016)
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on the civil system with influences of English common law
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- In transition; following the military coup of May 2014 - National Legislative Assembly or Sapha Nitibanyat Haeng Chat
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court, judges appointed by the King
RELIGIONS
94.6% Buddhists; 4.6% Muslims; 0.7% Christians; 0.1% others
From the country
- JUNE 8, 2006ThailandDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. GOVERNMENT TO FREE 25,000 PRISONERS
Thailand was to release 25,000 prisoners across the country on June 9 in an amnesty to celebrate the King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 60th anniversary on the throne, officials said. Thai authorities often grant royal
- MARCH 3, 2006ThailandDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. EX-POLICE GENERAL GETS DEATH SENTENCE IN SAUDI JEWEL HEIST CASE
former Lt. Gen. Chalor Kerdthed was sentenced to death by a Thai appeals court for masterminding the killing of two family members of a gem trader linked to a 1989 jewel theft in Saudi Arabia.
- JANUARY 19, 2006ThailandDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. SPEEDY MURDER TRIAL CALMS TOURISM FEARS BUT SPARKS CRITICISM
the speedy trial of two Thai men Bualoi Posit, 23, and Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, sentenced to death for murdering a British student, raised concern about the kingdom's justice system.
- JANUARY 18, 2006ThailandDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. TWO SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDER OF BRITISH STUDENT
two Thai fishermen, Bualoi Posit, 23, and Wichai Somkhaoyai, 24, were sentenced to death for the rape and murder of student Katherine Horton after an unusually short trial and sustained political pressure.
- JANUARY 18, 2006United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. BRITAIN THANKS THAI POLICE BUT OPPOSES DEATH FOR TOURIST'S KILLERS
Britain's Foreign Office thanked the Thai authorities for finding the two fishermen who raped and murdered a British student, but insisted it opposed their death sentence
- JANUARY 16, 2006United KingdomDEATH PENALTY
UNITED KINGDOM. DON’T EXECUTE MY DAUGHTERS KILLERS, MOTHER OF BRITISH BACKPACKER
Wichai Somkhaoyai, and Bualoi Posit, the two Thai fisherman who raped and murdered British backpacker Katherine Horton should be spared the death penalty but locked up for life, the victim's mother said.
- JANUARY 16, 2006NetherlandsDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. TWO FOREIGN NATIONALS SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR DRUG CRIMES
Lin Hau Yang and Edy Tang, on death row in Bangkok, had their death sentences for drug convictions confirmed by the Thai high court, the Dutch Foreign Ministry said.
- JANUARY 10, 2006ThailandDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. PM CALLS FOR EXECUTION OF BRITISH TOURIST'S KILLERS
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra called for the execution of two Thai fishermen if convicted of the rape and murder of a British tourist on Samui island.
- JANUARY 1, 2006ThailandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty applies in Thailand to murder and heroin or amphetamine drug trafficking
The death penalty applies in Thailand to murder and heroin or amphetamine drug trafficking
- NOVEMBER 27, 2005ThailandDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. MANY IN FAVOUR OF DEATH PENALTY, SURVEY SHOWS
about 45 per cent of respondents to a Dhurakij Pundit University poll in Thailand said they supported capital punishment for drug traffickers and almost 8 per cent condoned the extrajudicial killing of drug dealers.
- NOVEMBER 7, 2005ItalyDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. ITALIAN RISKS DEATH PENALTY FOR MURDER
Thai police arrested Italian national Daniel Testoni, 22, accused of having stabbed to death Japanese businessman Marcio Cristiano Hiraoka.
- OCTOBER 18, 2005ItalyDEATH PENALTY
THAILAND. ITALIAN COULD FACE ON DRUG CHARGES
an Italian could face execution after being arrested on drug trafficking charges in northern Thailand, police said. Stefano Pelliccia, 50, from Rome, was apprehended on October 18 at a checkpoint in Mae Sai district of the northernmost province Chiang Rai