Senate of Thailand - History

History

The idea of Bicameralism first permeated Thai Politics with the Constitution of 1946, when the government of Pridi Panomyong introduced a senate modelled on the British House of Lords. For the first time, an upper house came into existence in Thailand. The Senate was to be fully elected, however, the elections would be indirect, as the House of Representatives would elect the senators, for six-year terms. The 1946 Constitution was soon abrogated in a military coup. Subsequent constitutions saw only occasional bicameralism, and when it did exist, the Senate was always filled with appointees from the military and the elite. The 1997 Constitution saw a return to a fully elected Senate. That constitution was abrogated after the 2006 coup, and replaced with one calling for a half-elected/half-appointed Senate.

• 1947- First Thai Senate established with 100 members, all royally appointed.
• 1952- Establishment of a unicameral National Assembly with 123 members.
• 1968- Re-establishment of the Senate with 164 royally-appointed members.
• 1972- The Thai Legislature is banned by Thanom Kittikachorn.
• 1974- Return of the royally-appointed Senate.
• 1976- Re-establishment of a unicameral National Assembly with 360 members, all royally appointed.
• 1978- Return of a Senate with 225 royally-appointed members.
• 1991- Establishment of a unicameral National Assembly with 292 royally-appointed members.
• 1997- Establishment for the first time of a fully and directly elected Senate with 200 members for a 6 year term.
• 2006- Following the coup, an interim charter was signed establishing a 250 member National Legislative Assembly.
• 2007-Present system established, by referendum under the 2007 Constitution of Thailand. Half of the Senate is appointed.