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
- JANUARY 16, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
Wanchalerm Yoobamrung, the son of a former Thai justice...
Wanchalerm Yoobamrung, the son of a former Thai justice minister went on trial in Bangkok's Central Criminal Court in connection with the murder in 2001 of a policeman in a busy Bangkok nightclub
- JANUARY 16, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
A Bangkok Post editorial said "even capital punishment...
A Bangkok Post editorial said "even capital punishment has proven unsuccessful at deterring drug traffickers
- JANUARY 16, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
The Corrections Department proposed that people convicted...
The Corrections Department proposed that people convicted of petty crimes or crimes committed by accident should be allowed to pay compensation to the victims instead of being sent to jail
- JANUARY 11, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
Execution of death row prisoners by lethal injection...
Execution of death row prisoners by lethal injection will begin in 2003 in Thailand
- JANUARY 6, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
More than 3 million Thais, including students, are...
More than 3 million Thais, including students, are abusing narcotics, Justice Minister Pongthep Thepkanjana said
- JANUARY 1, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
Of the 371 sentenced to death, 247 were convicted on...
Of the 371 sentenced to death, 247 were convicted on drugs charges
- JANUARY 1, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
Capital punishment sentences are mostly commuted under...
Capital punishment sentences are mostly commuted under Royal clemency
- JANUARY 1, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
The death penalty applies in Thailand to heroin or...
The death penalty applies in Thailand to heroin or amphetamine drug trafficking and especially where the prisoner is found guilty after pleading not guilty at the start of their trial
- JANUARY 1, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
It is never known in advance when a death warrant is...
It is never known in advance when a death warrant is to be issued, and executions are performed only once in a while
- JANUARY 1, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
On august 31, 2001, the Criminal Court sentenced 12...
On august 31, 2001, the Criminal Court sentenced 12 men and five women to death on speed smuggling charges in six separate drug cases
- JANUARY 1, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
According to Section 31 of the Constitution, "A person...
According to Section 31 of the Constitution, "A person shall enjoy rights and liberties in his/her life and person
- JANUARY 1, 2002ThailandDEATH PENALTY
Thailand has executed 40 drug traffickers since the...
Thailand has executed 40 drug traffickers since the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra took office in January 2001