The Development of the law on political parties in Thailand

Abstract

This article aims to present the development of the laws concerning political parties in Thailand. Political parties play significant roles and responsibilities, starting from policy formulation and candidate selection for elections. Once elected, they exercise political power both as the government and the opposition. Additionally, they oversee the discipline of party members and act as intermediaries between the public and the government in addressing public issues and providing political and governance education to the people.           

            The study found that the development of the laws concerning political parties in Thailand can be divided into eight periods: (1) the period following the change of government before the enactment of political party laws, (2) the period of the Political Party Act of 1955, (3) the period of the Political Party Act of 1968, (4) the period of the Political Party Act of 1974, (5) the period of the Political Party Act of 1981, (6) the period of the Organic Act on Political Parties of 1998, (7) the period of the Organic Act on Political Parties of 2007, and (8) the period of the Organic Act on Political Parties of 2017. From the past to the present, there have been a total of seven political party laws.

            The author suggests that the laws governing political parties in Thailand should have a long duration of enforcement and should not be frequently repealed. Additionally, legal conditions should be set to ensure they do not hinder the people’s exercise of political rights and freedoms in a democratic system.