THE THE ROLES AND DUTIES OF THE SENATE IN THE BICAMERAL SYSTEM AND EFFECTIVENESS OF POLITICAL STABILITY ENHANCEMENT AND THAI DEMOCRACY DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Objectives of the study were 1. To analyze the structure of the Senate of other countries as a model for enhancing political stability and contributing significantly to the development of democracy, 2. To study the development of powers and duties of the Thai Senate from the past to the present, 3. To analyze the role of the Senate under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2560 [2017]; and 4. To provide recommendations for the advancement of power relations of the Thai Senate to be an institution that plays an important role in enhancing and strengthening Thailand’s political and democratic system. The research comprised documentary research, focus groups discussion with relevant groups of participants and online questionnaires for the collecting data and analyzed by of descriptive interpretation.

The results revealed that the Senate in other countries were often reduced and limited in power, even though, in some countries the senators derived from appointment. As for the advancement of duties and powers of the Thai Senate from the past to the present, Thailand still has no clear conclusions about the structure, composition, and powers of the Senate. The Constitutional of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560 has caused criticism on the issue of selection, power, and duties of the senators which was considered as a succession of power and was in contrary to the principles of democracy. Therefore, the relationship in power of the Senate should be amended in order to become an institute that plays an important role in strengthening and developing the political and democratic system in Thailand.