DEVELOPMENT OF THAI LAW AND COURTS FROM B.E. 2475 TO THE PRESENT

Abstract

            This article aims to explain the development of the laws and courts since the change of govenrment B.E. 2475 up to the present time (B.E. 2565). Before the change of government B.E. 2475, Thailand did not have a direct legislative organization. Legislation was decreed by the King who appointed a legislative committee to set up the laws. The court system is called the “Court of Justice,” which is under the Ministry of Justice. The Military Court is under the Ministry of Defense.

            After the change of government in B.E. 2475, a legislative organization called the Parliament was established. A law that has been approved  by the Parliament is called an “Act.” A law that is enforced by the Council of Ministers in times of urgency and that is required to be approved by the Parliament in order for it to continue to be used is called an “Emergency Decree.” In today’s court system, the 2 types of courts, namely the Court of Justice and the Military Court, are still in existence. With the promulgation of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2540, two new types of courts were established, namely the Constitutional Court and the Administrative Court. The new law is known as the "Organic Act."

            Therefore, the laws are currently under the categories of the Organic Act, Act, Emergency Decree, and announcements or orders of the military corps that have seized power and ruled. Royal commands and the Palatine Law are the royal powers directly enforce by the monarch. At present, there are four types of courts, namely the Constitutional Court, the Administrative Court, the Court of Justice, and the Military Court.