Government

Thailand is governed under an interim constitution, established after the 2006 coup, its 17th since 1932. The king is the head of state. The interim prime minister and 250-member unicameral national assembly are appointed by the Council of National Security. A new constitution, approved in Aug., 2007, provides for a bicameral national legislature. The Senate will have 150 members, 76 of whom are to be popularly elected; the rest will be chosen by a panel of judges and the heads of independent national oversight bodies. The 480-member House of Representatives will have 400 members elected from constituencies; the rest will be elected on a proportional basis. The prime minister, who will be the head of government, cannot serve more than eight consecutive years in the post.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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