Constitution Day is celebrated every year on the 10th of December in Thailand, and commemorates the advent of the country’s Constitutional Monarchy. This public holiday dates back to 1932 – a time when Thailand (then called Siam) experienced great upheaval that ultimately resulted to the end of the absolute power of the monarchy.
The start of the 1930s saw the economy of Siam suffering from the effects of the Great Depression, and the people viewed the monarch, King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), as being too inexperienced and young to handle the numerous problems that the country was experiencing. In June of 1932, a group of military men and intellectuals known as the People’s Party successfully led a bloodless coup, after which the king was presented with an ultimatum and a provisional constitution. The King initially refused, but eventually signed the provisional constitution, which stated that the sovereign power belonged to the people of Siam. While the monarchy was given the authority of directly exercising that power, it ceased to have any say in the composition of any of the government branches, and the royal veto can still be overruled. The monarchy was turned into a constitutional monarchy, but its sacred and inviolable nature was established with this change.
While the absolute monarchy that has ruled for centuries was brought to an end in 1932, the respect and reverence that the people of Thailand have for their King has not been decreased by this change. All Thai charters and constitutions still recognize the King as the Head of State, Upholder of all Religions, Head of the Armed Forces, and inviolable and sacred in his person. The King’s sovereign power comes from the people, and is exercised in three ways: Executive power through the Cabinet, Judicial power through the law courts, and Legislative power through the National Assembly.
Constitution Day is celebrated in a festive way throughout Thailand. Portraits of Thai kings are displayed with reverence and pride throughout the kingdom; private buildings, government offices, and even high-rise buildings are lit with bright lights, and draped with national flags and colorful bunting. Civilian and military parades, along with spectacular fireworks, are included in the festivities of this occasion. Constitution Day is celebrated by the Thai people with gratitude to the King, who selflessly provided them with the chance to take part in the country’s governance.
Photo by Mark Fischer
