1997 Constitution of Thailand - Overview of Sections

Overview of Sections

The 1997 Constitution had 12 Chapters and a section of Transitory Provisions, containing a total of 317 Sections.

• Chapter 1 (Sections 1-7): General provisions, the source and exercise sovereign power, the fundamental rights of the Thai people, and the status of the Constitution.
• Chapter 2 (Sections 8-25): The status, prerogative, rights of the King, the Privy Council, as well as matters of succession to the throne.
• Chapter 3 (Sections 26-65): The rights and liberties of the Thai people.
• Chapter 4 (Sections 66-70): The duties of the Thai people.
• Chapter 5 (Sections 71-89): The fundamental responsibilities of the state.
• Chapter 6 (Sections 90-200): The structure, roles, and responsibilities of the National Assembly (i.e., Parliament), including the House of Representatives, the Senate, elections and the Election Commission, the Ombudsmen, and the National Human Rights Commission.
• Chapter 7 (Sections 201-232): The Council of Ministers (i.e., the Cabinet) and the workings of the executive branch.
• Chapter 8 (Sections 233-281): The workings of the Courts of Justice, the Constitutional Court, the Administrative Courts, and the Military Courts.
• Chapter 9 (Sections 282-290): The workings of local governments
• Chapter 10 (Sections 291-311): Inspection and proceedings against members of the government, including the declaration of accounts and assets, the National Counter Corruption Commission, and impeachment of and criminal proceedings against government and political officials.
• Chapter 11 (Section 312): The roles and responsibilities of the State Audit Commission and the Auditor-General.
• Chapter 12 (Section 313): Regulations concerning amendment of the Constitution.
• Transitory Provisions (Sections 314-317): Regulations concerning the transfer of power from the last government of the 1991 Constitution.