Thailand

Law-making

Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities

Legislative activity

Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year

Annual number of laws adopted by parliament, using data from the lower chamber by default in bicameral systems with differing legislative dates

View field in the data dictionary

11

(2023)

Notes:

Aside from the Council of Ministers and members of the House, eligible voters numbering at least 10,000 have the right of legislative initiative via petition (Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand , B.E. 2560 (2017), Section 133). In the 2014-2019 legislature, one of the 464 laws adopted was initiated by citizens.

Organic law may only be introduced by the Council of Ministers upon the recommendation of the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Court or a relevant Independent Organ, and members of the House of Representatives comprising not less than one-tenth of the total number of existing members (Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand , B.E. 2560 (2017), Section 131).

See historical data for this field

Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature

“Legislature” refers to the full period between the first session of a new legislature until it’s dissolution.

View field in the data dictionary

50

(2023-03 - 2023-04)

See historical data for this field

Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament

In some cases other entities have the right to initiate legislation in national parliaments – such as citizens, autonomous regions, and other high-level government institutions.

View field in the data dictionary

11

(2023-03 - 2023-04)

See historical data for this field

Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government

In some cases other entities have the right to initiate legislation in national parliaments – such as citizens, autonomous regions, and other high-level government institutions.

View field in the data dictionary

39

(2023-03 - 2023-04)

See historical data for this field

Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature

The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of the laws adopted that were initiated by parliament by the total number of laws adopted in the previous legislature.

View field in the data dictionary

22%

(2023-03 - 2023-04)

Compare data of this field

See historical data for this field

Dates of the previous legislature

Refers to the full period between the first session of a new legislature until it’s dissolution

View field in the data dictionary

24 May 2019 to 20 Mar 2023

(2023-03 - 2023-04)

See historical data for this field

Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation

For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislationNot applicable; The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree; The decision of the lower chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; The decision of the upper chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; Other (please specify) For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation

View field in the data dictionary

The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree

Sources: Constitution, art. 81

Compare data of this field

Executive-legislative relations

Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State

In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.

View field in the data dictionary

No

Notes: A bill does not require the King's assent to become law because the National Assembly has the final authority. If the King refuses to sign or does not act within 90 days, the bill returns to the National Assembly for reconsideration. If at least two-thirds of both Houses reaffirm the bill, it is resent to the King. If he still does not sign within 30 days, the Prime Minister must publish it in the Government Gazette, making it law without the King's signature.

Sources: Constitution, art. 81 and 146

Compare data of this field

Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year

In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.

View field in the data dictionary

0

(2023)

Compare data of this field

See historical data for this field

Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation

Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation: Not applicable; No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected; The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination; The legislation is referred to the Constitutional/Supreme Court;The legislation is put to a referendum; Other (please specify)

View field in the data dictionary

The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination

Other

Notes: A bill does not require the King's assent to become law because the National Assembly has the final authority. If the King refuses to sign or does not act within 90 days, the bill returns to the National Assembly for reconsideration. If at least two-thirds of both Houses reaffirm the bill, it is resent to the King. If he still does not sign within 30 days, the Prime Minister must publish it in the Government Gazette, making it law without the King's signature.

Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree

Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree: Not applicable; Parliament; Head of State; Constitutional/Supreme Court; Other (please specify)

View field in the data dictionary

Parliament

Sources: Constitution, art. 146

Compare data of this field

Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation

See historical data for this field

There is a procedure for introducing emergency legislation into parliament

In some countries, the Constitution may allow the government to submit emergency legislation to parliament. The provision may, for example, allow the government to set a deadline for parliament to debate a particular bill. The procedure may also be referred to differently depending on the parliament, for e.g., urgent proceedings. In general, this is a formalized procedure that involves speeding up the passage of legislation by circumventing normal processes.

View field in the data dictionary

Yes

Compare data of this field

Number of times the procedure for emergency legislation was used, per year

2

Compare data of this field