When the Minority Overruled the Majority: The Politics of the Constitutional Amendment Regarding the Acquisition of Senators in Thailand in 2013
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
In 2013, the ruling Pheu Thai Party, backed by former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, proposed an amendment to the 2007 Constitution by making the Senate fully elected. Drafted after the 2006 coup, the 2007 Constitution created a senate that consists of half elected and half appointed senators. Controversially, the Constitutional Court ruled that this amendment was unconstitutional because it attempts to overthrow the democratic regime of government with the king as head of state. Why was this constitutional amendment unsuccessful? This paper argues that this amendment must be understood in terms of political struggle between the new elite rising from electoral politics (Thaksin Shinawatra and his party), which has majority of votes as its legitimacy, while the old elite (the military, bureaucracy) premises its legitimacy on traditional institutions and attempts to retain influence through unelected institutions.
Article Details
- เนื้อหาและข้อมูลที่ลงตีพิมพ์ในวารสารรัฐศาสตร์และรัฐประศาสนศาสตร์ถือเป็นข้อคิดเห็นและความรับผิดชอบของผู้เขียนบทความโดยตรง ซึ่งกองบรรณาธิการวารสารรัฐศาสตร์และรัฐประศาสนศาสตร์ ไม่จำเป็นต้องเห็นด้วย หรือร่วมรับผิดชอบใดๆ
- บทความและข้อมูล ที่ได้รับการตีพิมพ์ในวารสารรัฐศาสตร์และรัฐประศาสนศาสตร์ ถือเป็นลิขสิทธิ์ของวารสาร หากบุคคลหรือหน่วยงานใดต้องการนำข้อมูลไปใช้ประโยชน์ในทางวิชาการ ขอให้อ้างอิงแหล่งที่มาด้วย
References
Amnesty International. (2014). Thailand: Attitude Adjustment 100 Days under Martial Law. Retrieved June 30, 2018, from https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/8000/asa390112014en.pdf
Asian Correspondent. (2014). Constitution Court Judge: High Speed Rail Not Necessary for Thailand. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://asiancorrespondent.com/2014/01/constitution-court-judge-high-speed-rail-not-necessary-for-thailand/#uVYFjZQJd6m87cMI.97
Bangkok Post. (2008a, 17 September). Somchai Secures Backing Set to Be PM. p. 1.
______. (2008c, 16 December). Tough Task for New PM. p. 1.
______. (2013a, 22 November). Pheu Thai Rejects Ruling. Retrieved July, 18 2018, from www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/381074/pheu-thai-rejects-ruling
______. (2013b, 22 November). NACC Mulls Petitions to Oust MPs, Senators. Retrieved July, 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/381075/nacc-mulls-petitions-to-oust-mps-senators
______. (2014a, 8 January). NACC to Charge 308 Former Lawmakers. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/advanced/388541/nacc-to-charge-308-former-lawmakers
______. (2014b, 21 March). Nikhom Forced to Step Aside. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/400953/nikhom-orced-to-step-aside
______. (2014c, 30 April). NACC indicts 36 Senators for Graft. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/407331/nacc-indicts-6-senators-for-graft
______. (2014d, 21 May). Prayuth to 'force' peace talks. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/410888/prayuth-to-force-peace-talks
______. (2014e, 24 July). Interim Constitution Tightens the Regime's Iron Grip. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/422069/interim-constitution-tightens-the-regime-s-iron-grip
______. (2014f, 2 August). Army Stacks NLA Decks. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/423685/army-stacks-nla-decks
______. (2014g, 22 August). NLA Picks Prayuth as Premier. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/428031/nla-picks-prayuth-as-premier
______. (2014h, 17 October). NLA Vote to Impeach Under Threat. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/438054/nla-vote-to-impeach-under-threat
______. (2015a, 24 January). Yingluck Vows Fight for Justice. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/459645/yingluck-vows-fight-for-justice
______. (2015b, 9 May). NLA Votes to Impeach Boonsong Over G-to-G deals. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/politics/555955/nla-votes-to-impeach-boonsong-over-g-to-g-deals
______. (2015c, 15 August). NLA Rejects Impeachment Bid. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1081548/nacc-takes-aim-at-2-eNLA%20Rejects%20Impeachment%20Bidx-pheu-thai-mps
______. (2016, 9 September). NACC Takes Aim at 2 Ex-Pheu Thai MPs. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1081548/nacc-takes-aim-at-2-ex-pheu-thai-mps
Daily News. (2008a, 22 May). Por Por Chor Lui Kae Ratthathammanun [พปช. ลุยแก้ รธน.]. p. 1, 14.
______. (2008b, 30 May). Panthamit Rook Keub Prab Pao Lai Ratthaban [พันธมิตรรุกคืบ ปรับเป้าไล่รัฐบาล]. p. 1, 13.
Dressel, B. (2010). Judicialization of Politics or Politicization of the Judiciary? Considerations from Recent Events in Thailand. The Pacific Review, 23(5), 671-691.
Dressel, B., & Tonsakulrungruang, K. (2018). Coloured Judgements? The Work of the Thai Constitutional Court, 1998–2016. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 49(1), 1-23. doi: 10.1080/00472336.2018.1479879
Khaosod. (2014a, 23 May). Prakat Kor Sor Chor Yued Amnat [ประกาศ คสช. ยึดอำนาจ]. p. 3.
______. (2014b, 1 August). Prode Klao 200 Sor Nor Chor Taharn 105 Pornpetch Jor Prathan [โปรดเกล้าฯ 200 สนช. ทหาร 105 พรเพชรจ่อประธาน]. pp. 10-11.
Krungthep Turakij. (2013, 21 November). Kae Ratthathammanun Moka Yuen Por Por Chor Tordtorn [แก้ รธน. โมฆะ ยื่น ปปช. ถอดถอน]. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/544705
Matichon. (2008a, 23 April). Ta Laeng Karn Sor Sor Ror 50 Yud Chalor Kae Ratthathammanun [แถลงการณ์ สสร. 50 หยุดชะลอแก้ รธน.]. p. 2.
______. (2008b, 22 October). Somchai Kae Korha Sue Wayla Reng Sor Sor Ror 3 Rang Ratthathammanun Hai Set Nai 120 Wan [สมชายแก้ข้อหาซื้อเวลา เร่ง สสร. 3 ร่าง รธน. ให้เสร็จใน 120 วัน]. p. 1, 13.
______. (2015, 13 March). Chee Moon 250 Sor Sor Pom Kae Teema Sor Wor Por Por Chor Chuead [ชี้มูล 250 ส.ส. ปมแก้ที่มา ส.ว. ปปช. เชือด]. p. 1, 13, 14.
McCargo, D. & Tanruangporn, P. (2015). Branding Dissent: Nitirat, Thailand’s Enlightened Jurists. Journal of Contemporary Asia, 45(3), 419-422. doi: 10.1080/00472336.2015.1020563
Nanuam, W. (2008b, 11 December). Government Hopefuls Rendezvous with Anupong the 'Manager'. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asia-news/41316-what-anupong-has-been-up.html
Phongpaichait, P., & Baker, C. (2014). A History of Thailand. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Post Today. (2014, 8 May). Niwatthamrong Goom Kao Ee Nayok Chalerm Pueng Lood Tam Naeng [นิวัฒน์ธำรงกุมเก้าอี้นายกฯ เฉลิมพึงหลุดตำแหน่ง]. p. A5
Raksaseri, K. (2013, 21 November). Amendment Bid 'Violated Charter'. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/683164-amendment-bid-violated-thai-charter/
Rich, R. (2013). Parties and Parliaments in Southeast Asia: Non-Partisan Chambers in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. London: Routledge.
Royal Thai Government Gazette. (1968). The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2511. Retrieved June 30, 2019, from http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2511/A/E/1.PDF
______. (1978). The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2521. Retrieved June 30, 2019, from http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2521/A/146/1.PDF
______. (1991). The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2534. Retrieved June 30, 2019, from http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2534/A/216/1.PDF
______. (1997). The Constitution of Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2540. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2540/A/055/1.PDF
______. (2007a). The Appointment of the Constitution Drafting Assembly. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2550/A/001/1.PDF
______. (2007b). The Constitution of Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2550. Retrieved July 1, 2018, from http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2550/A/047/1.PDF
______. (2014). The Constitution of Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2557. Retrieved June 30, 2018, from http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2557/A/055/1.PDF
______. (2017). The Constitution of Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560. Retrieved December 4, 2019, from http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2560/A/040/1.PDF
Thabchumpon, N. (2016). Contending Political Networks: A Study of the “Yellow Shirts” and “Red Shirts” in Thailand’s Politics. Southeast Asian Studies, 5(1), 93-113.
Thabchumpon, N., & McCargo, D. (2011). Urbanized Villagers in the 2010 Thai Redshirt Protests. Asian Survey, 51(6), 993-1018.
Thairath. (2013, 21 March). Liang Doan Tee Kwam Yuen Kae Ratthathammanun Sarm Rang Tee Ma Sor Wor Matra 68,237, 190 [เลี่ยงโดนตีความ ยื่นแก้ รธน. สามร่าง ที่มา ส.ว. มาตรา 68,237,190]. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.thairath.co.th/content/333798
______. (2014, 7 November). 87 Tor 75 Sor Nor Chor Rab Tordthorn Nikom Somsak [87 ต่อ 75 สนช. รับถอดถอนนิคม-สมศักดิ์]. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.thairath.co.th/content/461835
The Constitutional Court of Thailand (2007). Constitutional Court Ruling No. 3-5/2550, 2007 (Nurak Mapraneet's Individual Judgement). Retrieved July 18, 2018, from http://www.constitutionalcourt.or.th/occ_web/download/article/file_import/nurak3-5_50.pdf
______. (2012). Constitutional Court Ruling No. 18-22/2555. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from http://www.constitutionalcourt.or.th/occ_web/download/article/file_import/center18-22_55.pdf
The Nation. (2008a, 30 January). Samak Get Endorsed by the King. The Nation. p. 1A
______. (2008b, 27 March). PAD Girds for Battle with Government. The Nation. p. 7A.
______. (2008c, 3 December). Three Coalition Parties Bite the Dust. p. 2B
______. (2013a, 20 November). Tensions Rise Before Ruling. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30220079
______. (2013b, 21 November). Verdict Raises More Questions. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30220193
______. (2013c, 24 November). Ignore 'Unconstitutional' Ruling, Nitirat Lawyers Say. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/national/30220404
______. (2014a, 21 March). Senate Speaker indicted by NACC. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30229730?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral
______. (2014b, 8 May). Yingluck Ousted. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30233120?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral
______. (2014c, 21 May). Prayuth in Charge. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30234155
______. (2014d, 23 May). Army Chief Prayuth Seizes Power. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30234377
______. (2015a, 13 March). 38 Senators Spared Impeachment by NLA. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30255915
______. (2015b, 15 August). Former MPs Spared Impeachment. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30266643?utm_source=category&utm_medium=internal_referral
______. (2016, 5 November). Former Pheu Thai MPs Banned from Politics after NLA Impeachment Vote. Retrieved July 18, 2018, from https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30299182
The New York Times. (2007). Thai Constitutional Referendum Reveals Deep Social Divide. Retrieved June 26, 2018, from https://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/20/world/asia/20iht-thai.1.7181941.html
______. (2008). Thai Court Forces Premier from Office Over TV Cooking Show. Retrieved December 3, 2019, from https://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/world/asia/10thai.html
Tonsakulrungruang, K. (2017). Entrenching the Minority: The Constitutional Court in Thailand’s Political Conflict. Washington International Law Journal, 26(2), 247-268.
Wairajpanit, N. (2013). Khao Yark Hai Pom Lao (They asked me to tell a story). Bangkok: n.p.
Yimprasert, S. (2010). Phǣn Ching Chāt Thai Wādūai Rat Læ Kān Tō̜tān Rat Samai Chō̜mphon Po Phibunsongkhram Khrang Thī Sō̜ng (Phō̜.Sō̜. 2491 - 2500). [แผนชิงชาติไทย ว่าด้วยรัฐและการต่อต้านรัฐ สมัยจอมพล ป.พิบูลสงคราม ครั้งที่ 2 (พ.ศ. 2491-2500)]. Bangkok: P. Press.