Democracy in Thailand A study of the Impact of Buddhism on Thai Politics from 1932 1992

Abstract

newline The present work has been done with a view to carry out a comprehensive newline Research on the Democracy in Thailand: A Study of the Impact of Buddhism on newline Thai Politics from 1932-1992. newlineDemocracy in Thailand came about because of the graciousness of His Majesty King Prajadhipok (Rama VII), who was a liberal, democratic man at heart, as he generously bestows the Constitution to the people of Thailand without incurring any bloodshed or loss of lives. All Thai Kings, particularly His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and after his death, his son Vajiralongkorn Bobindradebayavaangkun , had taken the same approach in ruling the country, firmly planting the seeds of democracy in Thai soil so that it has now become a way of life for the Thai people; the process, once begun, is irreversible. newline Thailand is a developing country, so the democratic process cannot just take place without impediment that normally exist in agricultural society namely, nepotism, attachment to a person s status instead of principle, lack of consolidation in form of organization, lack of discipline in daily life, etc. These problems, nevertheless, should gradually disappear as the society becomes increasingly industrialized. It will take time and patience of the Thai people to solve these problems and other political conundrums creating new systems and replacing oldness. In the end, democracy will hopefully become an integral and permanent part of the Thai life and culture. newline