Page 13 - Introduction to Investment Laws in Thailand

CHAPTER 1
THAILAND AT A GLANCE

1.1 Overview of Thai Legal System

The Kingdom of Thailand is a civil law country with strong common law
influences. Modern Thai law dates to the reign of King Rama V (1868-1910)
with important reforms on the Thai legal system, such as the elimination
of trial by ordeal, the establishment of the Ministry of Justice, and the first
law school in Thailand.

The Kingdom of Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy since
1932. Under the Constitution, the King is the head of state and exercises
his sovereign powers through the National Assembly, the Council of
Ministers, and the Courts. Since the 1932 revolution, Thailand has
experienced many Coup d’etat and had 20 Constitutions. The Coup d’etat
in 2014 resulted in an interim Constitution conferring absolute executive
power to the military. The current Constitution was promulgated in 2017.

1.1.1 State Structure

Section 3 of the 2017 Constitution stipulates that “Sovereign powers
belong to the Thai people. The King as Head of State shall exercise such
powers through the National Assembly, with the Council of Ministers and
the Courts in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution”. Beside
the three separated powers, there are independent organs.

1