BANGKOK — Thailand’s 20th constitution came into effect on Thursday with a royal signature, but with some notable changes than that which the public supported six-to-four in a vote this past August.
Read: First Look at Major Changes to the New Thai Constitution
Following the death of King Bhumibol, his successor King Vajiralongkorn ordered certain changes made before he would sign it into law.
Below is a comparison of the most significant changes, look here for a first look at what they mean.
Charter Approved by Public
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Charter Signed by King
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| ARTICLE 5 The Constitution is the supreme law of the State. The provisions of any law, rule, or regulation, or any action which are contrary to or inconsistent with the Constitution shall be unenforceable. Whenever no provision under this Constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be acted or decided in accordance with the constitutional practice in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of the State. In the event where the circumstance under Paragraph Two arises, the President of the Constitutional Court shall convene a joint meeting of the President of the House of Representatives, the Opposition Leader in the House of Representatives, the President of the Senate, the Prime Minister, the President of the Supreme Court, the President of the Supreme Administrative Court, the President of the Constitutional Court, and the Presidents of Constitutional Organizations to make decision thereon. The joint meeting under Paragraph Three shall elect one among themselves to preside over each session. In case of the absence of any position holder, the joint meeting shall be composed of the existing holders of the positions. A decision of the joint meeting shall be made by the majority of votes. In case of an equality of votes, the presiding member shall have an additional vote as a casting vote. The decision of the joint meeting shall be deemed final and binding on the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, the Courts, the Constitutional Organizations, and State organs. | ARTICLE 5 The Constitution is the supreme law of the State. The provisions of any law, rule, or regulation, or any action which are contrary to or inconsistent with the Constitution shall be unenforceable. Whenever no provision under this Constitution is applicable to any case, it shall be acted or decided in accordance with the constitutional practice in the democratic regime of government with the King as Head of the State. |
| ARTICLE 16 Whenever the King is absent from the Kingdom or unable to perform His functions for any reason whatsoever, the King will appoint a person as the Regent and the President of the National Assembly shall countersign the Royal Command. | ARTICLE 16 Whenever the King is absent from the Kingdom or unable to perform His functions for any reason whatsoever, the King may or may not appoint a person or many people comprised as a group as the Regent and in that case, the President of the National Assembly shall countersign the Royal Command. |
| ARTICLE 17 In the case where the King does not appoint the Regent under Section 16, or the King is unable to appoint the Regent owing to His not being sui juris or any other reason whatsoever, the Privy Council shall submit the name of a person suitable to hold the office of the Regent to the National Assembly for approval. Upon approval by the National Assembly, the President of the National Assembly shall make an announcement, in the name of the King, to appoint such person as the Regent. | ARTICLE 17 In the case where the King does not appoint the Regent under Section 16, or the King is unable to appoint the Regent owing to His not being sui juris or any other reason whatsoever, but the Privy Council later deems it is necessary to appoint a regent and cannot inform the King in time. The Privy Council shall submit the name of a person or a group of persons suitable to hold the office of the Regent |
| ARTICLE 19 Before taking office, the Regent appointed under Section 16 or Section 17 shall make a solemn declaration before the National Assembly in the following words: “I, (name of the declarer), do solemnly declare that I will be loyal to His Majesty the King (name of the King) and will faithfully perform my duties in the interests of the country and of the people. I will further uphold and observe the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand in every respect.” | ARTICLE 19 Before taking office, the Regent appointed under Section 16 or Section 17 shall make a solemn declaration before the National Assembly in the following words: “I, (name of the declarer), do solemnly declare that I will be loyal to His Majesty the King (name of the King) and will faithfully perform my duties in the interests of the country and of the people. I will further uphold and observe the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand in every respect.” A regent who was previously appointed and already made a solemn declaration is exempted from redoing it. |
| ARTICLE 182 All laws, Royal Rescripts and Royal Commands relating to the State affairs must be countersigned by a Minister, unless otherwise provided in the Constitution. The person countersigning the Royal Command shall take charge of all affairs under the Royal Command. |
ARTICLE 182 All laws, Royal Rescripts and Royal Commands relating to the State affairs must be countersigned by a Minister, unless otherwise provided in the Constitution. |
| Source: Unofficial United Nations translation | Source: Khaosod English unofficial translation from constitution posted by Royal Gazette |
Story: Todd Ruiz, Sasiwan Mokkhasen
Correction: An earlier version of this story mistranslated a portion of Article 17
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