Thailand Constitution Adopted (1932)
On December 10, 1932, Thailand (formerly called Siam) adopted a constitution and changed from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional democracy. In particular, Thailand’s King Prajadhipok (also referred to as Rama VII) agreed by ultimatum from local military and civil servants to create a democratic based government.
Thailand is a country of great age, history, and change. Over 10,000 years ago the first known indigenous tribes settled in the region. Since then, Thailand has been influenced by many factors, including the dominant practice of Buddhism, cultural influx of neighboring ethnicities from India, China, and surrounding regions, and a belief in military and monarchal rule (i.e. rule by a king).
Prior to the 13th Century, not much is known about Thailand because of the lack of sources and archeological evidence. As such, most consider the birth of "Siam" (as Thailand was formerly called) to have occurred under the Buddhist kingdom of Sukhothia around 1238. Other kingdoms followed and continued to rule as monarchies.
On this day, December 10, 1932, Thailand’s King Prajadhipok (also referred to as Rama VII) agreed to create a constitution. In particular, a military coup within The People Party’s held hostage many of the king’s ministers and staff and required the king to give up his monarchy in exchange for a constitutional democracy. King Prajadhipok agreed – and Siam became a democracy overnight.
Later, in 1939, premier and Field Marshall Phibun Songgram officially changed the country’s name from “Siam” to Muang Thai, known as Thailand. (Note: From 1945 to 1949, the country’s name was changed back to "Siam." Then, from 1949 to the present the country’s name has been "Thailand.")
Since Thailand’s change to a democracy it has undergone major constitutional changes. In fact, the country has amended or re-created its constitution more than a dozen times. The high degree of constitutional change reflects the country’s somewhat political and military instability.
Today, December 10, is celebrated as Constitution Day in Thailand. And Thailand is currently home to
approximately 66 million people of over which 45 million are eligible voters.