Privy Council of Thailand

Thailand
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The Privy Council of Thailand (Thai: คณะองคมนตรีไทย, khana ongkhamontri thai) is a body of appointed advisors to the Monarch of Thailand. The council, as the Constitution of Thailand stipulates, must be composed of no more than eighteen members. The council is led by the president of the Privy Council of Thailand; currently former Prime Minister, "national statesman", and Army General Prem Tinsulanonda.[1] The king alone appoints all members of the council. The council's offices are in the Privy Council Chambers, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok.[2]

In recent years the council and its president in particular, have been accused of interfering in politics. This stems from the council's closeness to the military, in particular during the 2006 Thai coup d'état.[3] General Prem was reappointed president of the privy council by the new King Maha Vajiralongkorn on 2 December 2016,[4] although in 2018 the office was stripped of some of its powers.[5]

History

King Chulalongkorn, educated by Westerners, founded the first Privy Council of Siam.

The first privy council in Siam was established by a royal decree on 8 May 1874, by King Chulalongkorn (or Rama V). The king, educated by Westerners, was keen on copying the system of government of the absolute monarchs of Europe. At first he created two councils: the "Privy Council of Siam" (Thai: ที่ปฤกษาในพระองค์; RTGS: thi prueksa nai phra ong) (49 members) and the "Council of State" (Thai: สภาที่ปรึกษาราชการแผ่นดิน; RTGS: sapha thi prueksa ratchakan phaendin) (12 members, name later changed to "Council of Ministers" (Thai: รัฐมนตรีสภา; RTGS: ratthamontrisapha)). The privy council was created to deal with legislative affairs while the latter became an early version of the cabinet.

Chulalongkorn was succeeded by his son King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) in 1910, who at the beginning of his reign appointed a 40-member "Privy Council of State" (Thai: สภากรรมการองคมนตรี; RTGS: sapha kammakan ongkhamontri). The king, during his 15 years on the throne, would continue to appoint new members at Thai New Year (or 4 April). When he died in 1925 the privy council was composed of 233 members.

King Prajadhipok (Rama VII) who succeeded his brother in 1925, completely overhauled the system and created instead three councils: The "Supreme Council of State of Siam" (Thai: อภิรัฐมนตรีสภา; RTGS: aphiratthamontrisapha) (composed of five senior princes, equivalent to the former Council of State); The "Council of Secretaries" (Thai: เสนาบดีสภา; RTGS: senabodisapha) (former Council of Ministers); and the Privy Council of State. The role of the Privy Council was relegated to minor legislative affairs, while the Supreme Council became Prajadhipok's main body of advisors.[6]

On 24 June 1932, a group calling themselves the Khana Ratsadon (or People's Party), together with the military, seized power in Bangkok. They abolished the system of absolute monarchy, changing Siam into a parliamentary constitutional monarchy and demanding of Prajadhipok a constitution for the people of Siam. The king granted them a "temporary" constitution in the same month and a permanent one in December. The Khana Ratsadon, once in power, abolished the Supreme Council and the Privy Council. They replaced the Council of Secretaries with the People's Committee of Siam.

It was not until fifteen years later that the 1947 constitution of Siam recreated the Privy Council under King Bhumibol Adulyadej, with a name change to "Supreme Council of State" (Thai: คณะอภิรัฐมนตรี; RTGS: khana aphiratthamontri). This council existed from 1947 to 1949 and was composed of:

  • Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi, Prince of Chainat, President of the council
  • Prince Dhani Nivat, Prince Bidyalabh Bridhyakon
  • Prince Longkorn Adireksorn Udomsakdi
  • Phraya Manovaratsevi
  • Police General Adul Adulyadejchrat

Two years later, under the 1949 Constitution of Thailand, the council was renamed the "Privy Council of Thailand" (Thai: สภาองคมนตรี; RTGS: sapha ongkhamontri) or (Thai: คณะองคมนตรี; RTGS: khana ongkhamontri). The Privy Council in its current form was created by the 2017 Constitution of Thailand.

Members

General Prem Tinsulanonda, President of the Privy Council.

The present constitution stipulated that the council is composed of no more than eighteen members. The members of the Privy Council or Privy Councillors are appointed and removed at the pleasure of the king alone, but appointments must be countersigned by the President of the Privy Council.[7]

The councillors cannot be partisan and therefore cannot be members of the House of Representatives, Senate of Thailand, Election Commission, Ombudsman, member of the National Human Rights Commission, judge of the Constitutional Court, judge of an Administrative Court, member of the National Counter Corruption Commission, member of the State Audit Commission, a government official holding a permanent position or receiving a permanent salary, an official of a state enterprise, other state official or holder of other position of member or official of a political party, and must not manifest loyalty to any political party. Privy councillors are not prohibited from sitting on the boards of influential companies and, under Prem, some councillors are board members of Bangkok Bank, Charoen Pokphand, the Boonrawd group, and the Charoen Siriwatanapakdi business group.[5]

After being appointed the councilors must take the following oath in the presence of the king to assume office:

"I, (name of the declarer), do solemnly declare that I will be loyal to His Majesty the King and will faithfully perform my duties in the interests of the country and of the people. I will also uphold and observe the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand in every respect."

A councillor vacates office upon death, resignation, or at royal command.

President

The President of the Privy Council of Thailand is the head and chief councillor of the privy council. The king retains the power to appoint and remove the president, however the President of the National Assembly of Thailand must countersign presidential appointments and removals, unlike other councillors which the king alone decides.

Functions

The 2017 Constitution gave the privy council many roles and powers. These are mostly associated with the issues surrounding the head of state and the monarchy. A US ambassador described its duties thus, "Statutorily they exist to offer advice to the King if he solicits it, review petitions on his behalf, act as ceremonial stand-ins for the King at various royally-sponsored ceremonies, and play a critical role in succession."[8]

Regency

If the king is incapacitated or for whatever reason and cannot appoint a regent, the privy council will submit to the National Assembly the name of a suitable individual, who must then be approved by a vote. During the period where there is no regent the President of the Privy Council shall be the regent pro tempore. This case is also applicable if the regent is incapacitated and cannot perform his duties. When this happens the President of the Privy Council shall be replaced in his duties to the council by a president pro tempore.

Palace Law of Succession

In regards to the amendment of the 1924 Palace Law of Succession, the king must ask the privy council to draft an amendment. After the king's approval and signature, the President of the Privy Council will notify the president of the National Assembly that will then countersign such amendment.

Vacancy on the throne

When the throne becomes vacant it is the duty of the privy council to submit to the cabinet and to the National Assembly the name of the successor to the throne. During this vacancy period (before the submission) the President of the Privy Council will be the regent pro tempore.

Other functions

Apart from these constitutionally mandated functions the privy councillors also perform other duties. For instance, they carry out other duties in the royal household and on royal projects. Several councillors are members of the Mahidol Foundation, while Dr. Chaovana Nasylvanta is the Director of the Crown Property Bureau. Councillors can, at royal command, attend official functions or carry out official duties on behalf of the king or the royal family.

List of presidents of the Privy Council

№ President Start of term End of term Days
1 Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi 9 November 1947 18 June 1949[9] 1 year, 221 days
2 Prince Dhani Nivat 18 June 1949[9] 25 March 1950 280 days
(1) Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi 25 March 1950[10] 4 June 1950[11] 1 year, 221 days
(2) Prince Dhani Nivat 4 June 1950[11] 7 March 1951 276 days
3 Prince Alongkot 13 March 1951[12] 8 April 1952[13] 1 year, 26 days
(2) Prince Dhani Nivat 8 April 1952[13] 27 May 1963 11 years, 49 days
- Jit Na Songkha 28 May 1963[14] 8 June 1963 12 days
(2) Prince Dhani Nivat 8 June 1963 9 July 1963 31 days
- Jit Na Songkha 9 July 1963 14 July 1963 5 days
(2) Prince Dhani Nivat 14 July 1963 20 June 1968 4 years, 342 days
- Jit Na Songkha 20 June 1968 30 July 1968 40 days
(2) Prince Dhani Nivat 30 July 1968 8 September 1974 6 years, 40 days
- Vongsanuwat Tevagul 8 September 1974[15] 24 March 1975[16] 197 days
4 Dej Snidvongs 24 March 1975[16] 8 September 1975 169 days
- Vongsanuwat Tevagul 8 September 1975 5 December 1975 89 days
5
Sanya Dharmasakti 5 December 1975[17] 4 September 1998 22 years, 273 days
6 Prem Tinsulanonda 4 September 1998 13 October 2016 18 years, 40 days
- Tanin Kraivichien 13 October 2016 2 December 2016 51 days
(6) Prem Tinsulanonda 2 December 2016 13 October 2016 1 year, 325 days

The Privy Council of Thailand

The Privy Council of Thailand (Rama IX)

# Picture NameFrom Until
1 Prince Rangsit Prayurasakdi9 November 1947 18 Junuary 1949
2 Prince Dhani Nivat 9 November 1947 18 Junuary 1949
3 Prince Alongkot9 November 1947 19 December 1952
4 Plot Wichean Na Songkha 9 November 1947 7 October 1974
5 Adul Aduldejjarus 9 November 1947 29 November 1951
6 Prince Vivadhanajaya Jayanta8 April 1952 22 August 1960
7 Prince Nakkhatra Mangala 8 April 1952 11 February 1953
8 Jit Na Songkha 8 April 1952 25 September 1976
9 Hun Huntagun8 April 1952 27 August 1962
10 Dej Snidvongs24 April 1953 7 October 1974
11 Sak Senanarong14 July 1955 19 July 1955
12 Laihud Tititlanon2 May 1957 26 March 1968
13 Srisena Sombutsiri2 May 1957 6 July 1982
14 Gumpan Utaravanit5 February 1960 7 October 1974
15 Thongchai Chotikasatian 7 July 1964 18 January 1986
16 Chalermlap Tavivong24 November 1966 27 October 1970
17
Sanya Dharmasakti 18 June 1968 4 September 1998
18 Vongsanuwat Tevagul 1 November 1971 3 April 1991
19 Pragob Hutasing 26 March 1975 28 July 1995
20 Uttasit Sittisunton 26 March 1975 16 September 1998
21 Jinda Boonyakom 26 March 1975 8 November 1987
22 Chakkapanpensiri 26 March 1975 13 October 1993
23 Samran Padtayakul 19 December 1975 24 July 1986
24 Chao Na Sinwan 19 December 1975 6 December 2016
25 Thanin Kraivichien 15 December 1977 6 December 2016
26 Gun Itsarasena Na Ayuthaya 18 April 1979 12 August 1996
27 Ussani Pramoj 3 March 1984 6 December 2016
28 Gumton Sintavanon 28 November 1987 6 December 2016
29 Prem Tinsulanonda 23 August 1987 4 August 1998
30 Chulanop Sanitwong Na Ayuthaya 24 December 1991 29 September 2006
31 Siddhi Savetsila 24 December 1991 5 December 2015
32 Adulkit Kittiyakon 9 April 1992 5 May 2004
33 Pichit Kullavanich 13 July 1993 6 December 2016
34 Umpon Senanarong 9 September 1994 6 December 2016
35 Jumrus Khemajaru 15 November 1994 14 May 2015
36 Tavisan Ladawan 3 October 1995 7 April 2006
37 Thep Devakul 7 August 1997 6 December 2016
(17)
Sanya Dharmasakti 4 September 1998 6 January 2002
38 Sakda Mokamakkul 6 January 1999 20 February 2007
39 Kasem Wannachai 18 July 2001 6 December 2016
40 Palakorn Suwanrat 18 July 2001 6 December 2016
41 Sawat Wattanayakon 18 July 2002 13 March 2012
42 Surayud Chulanont 14 November 2003 1 October 2006
43 Santi Takral 15 March 2005 29 April 2011
44 Chumpol Patjusanon 15 March 2005 6 December 2016
45 Uttanit Ditumnat 16 August 2007 6 December 2016
(42) Surayud Chulanont 8 April 2008 6 December 2016
46 Chanchai Likitjitta 8 April 2008 6 December 2016
47 Supachai Poongam 8 April 2008 6 December 2016
48 Chalit Pukpasuk 18 May 2011 6 December 2016

The Privy Council of Thailand (Rama X)

On 2 December 2016, King Maha Vajiralongkorn reappointed General Prem Tinsulanonda president of the privy council. General Prem became regent pro tempore at the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the 13 October 2016. After Vajiralongkorn accepted the invitation to become king he was able to appoint his own council.[18]

On 6 December 2016 the king appointed ten councillors,[19] seven from his father's council and three new members. Eight members from the previous council were not reappointed.[20]

As of October 2018 the council was composed mostly of retired military leaders and members of the judiciary, with 16 members:

  Currently in office

# Picture NameFrom Until
1 Prem Tinsulanonda2 December 2016 Present
2 Surayud Chulanont6 December 2016 Present
3 Kasem Watanachai6 December 2016 Present
4 Palakorn Suwanarat6 December 2016 Present
5 Chalit Pukbhasuk6 December 2016 Present
6 Supachai Phungam6 December 2016 Present
- Charnchai Likhitchittha 6 December 2016 18 January 2017
7 Atthaniti Disatha-Amnarj6 December 2016 Present
8 Paiboon Koomchaya6 December 2016 Present
9 Dapong Ratanasuwan6 December 2016 Present
- Teerachai Nakwanich6 December 2016 19 June 2018
- Wirach Chinvinitkul13 December 2016 2 March 2018
10 Charunthada Karnasuta13 December 2016 Present
11 Kampanat Ruddit23 December 2016 Present
12 Pongthep Nuthep 13 March 2018 Present
13 Chirayu Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya13 March 2018 Present
14 Amphon Kittiamphon[5]2 October 2018 Present
15 Chalermchai Sitthisart[5]2 October 2018 Present
16 Chom Rungsawang[5]2 October 2018 Present

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://kanchanapisek.or.th/ohmpc/General-Prem-Tinsulanonda.en.php
  2. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-01-05.
  3. ↑ McGeown, Kate (21 September 2006). "Thai king remains centre stage". BBC News. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  4. ↑ "Gen Prem appointed president of the new King's Privy Council". Bangkok Post. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Chachavalpongpun, Pavin (12 October 2018). "Beware the Thailand King's New Power Play". The Diplomat. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
  6. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-01-04.
  7. ↑ Constitution of Thailand Archived 2007-06-28 at Archive.is
  8. ↑ John, Eric G (2009-11-23). "Thailand: Circles of Influence Inside the Institution of the Monarchy in King Bhumibol's Twilight". Wikileaks. Bangkok: US Embassy. p. 22. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  9. 1 2 http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2492/A/033/479.PDF
  10. ↑ http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2493/A/032/646.PDF
  11. 1 2 http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2493/A/032/646.PDF
  12. ↑ http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2494/A/018/404.PDF
  13. 1 2 http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2495/A/027/640.PDF
  14. ↑ http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2506/A/053/322.PDF
  15. ↑ http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2515/A/198/255.PDF
  16. 1 2 http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2518/A/070/79.PDF
  17. ↑ http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2518/A/252/1.PDF
  18. ↑ "Wissanu explains royal succession process". Bangkok Post. 15 October 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
  19. ↑ "Thai king appoints new members to royal council". www.atimes.com. Reuters. 6 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  20. ↑ "King appoints 10 members to his Privy Council". Bangkok Post. 7 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
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