Government of Thailand
Long Conventional Name
Kingdom of Thailand
Short Conventional Name
Thailand
Long Local Name
Ratcha Anachak Thai
Short Local Name
Prathet Thai
Government Type
Constitutional Monarchy
Capital City
Bangkok
Administrative Divisions
76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural); Amnat Charoen, Ang Thong, Buriram, Chachoengsao, Chai Nat, Chaiyaphum, Chanthaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri, Chumphon, Kalasin, Kamphaeng Phet, Kanchanaburi, Khon Kaen, Krabi, Krung Thep Mahanakhon (Bangkok), Lampang, Lamphun, Loei, Lop Buri, Mae Hong Son, Maha Sarakham, Mukdahan, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Pathom, Nakhon Phanom, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Nan, Narathiwat, Nong Bua Lamphu, Nong Khai, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Pattani, Phangnga, Phatthalung, Phayao, Phetchabun, Phetchaburi, Phichit, Phitsanulok, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Phrae, Phuket, Prachin Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Ranong, Ratchaburi, Rayong, Roi Et, Sa Kaeo, Sakon Nakhon, Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Sara Buri, Satun, Sing Buri, Sisaket, Songkhla, Sukhothai, Suphan Buri, Surat Thani, Surin, Tak, Trang, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Udon Thani, Uthai Thani, Uttaradit, Yala, Yasothon
Independence Day
Monday, 1st January 0001
Constitutional History
Constitution signed by King Phumiphon (Bhumibol) on 24 August 2007.
Legal System
Based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction.
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory.
Executive Branch
Chief of State
King Phumiphon Adunyadet (Bhumibol Adulyadej) (since 9 June 1946).
Head of Government
Prime Minister Surayut Chulanon (Surayud Chulanont) (since 1 October 2006).
Cabinet
Council of Ministers
Elections
None; monarch is hereditary; according to 2007 constitution, prime minister is designated from among members of House of Representatives; following national elections for House of Representatives, leader of party that could organize a majority coalition usually was appointed prime minister by king; prime minister is limited to two 4-year terms.
Legislative Branch
Bicameral National Assembly or Rathasapha consisted of the Senate or Wuthisapha (150 seats; 76 members elected by popular vote, 74 appointed by judges and independent government bodies; all serve six-year terms) and the House of Representatives or Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon (480 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms); after coup in September 2006, coup leaders appointed an interim National Assembly with 250 members to act as Senate and House of Representatives.
Judical Branch
Supreme Court or Sandika (judges appointed by the monarch).
Flag Description
Five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double width), white and red.
