Method of Amending the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand : A Comparative Study of the Constitution B.E 2540(1997) , Constitution B.E 2550(2007) , and Constitution B.E 2560(2017)

Abstract

This academic article aims to study methods for amending the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. by comparative study of 3 constitutions, namely Constitution B.E 2540(1997), Constitution B.E 2550(2007) , and Constitution B.E 2560(2017), by comparing five issues as well: (1) the persons who have the right to propose a constitutional amendment (2) the prohibition of proposing a constitutional amendment (3) the form of proposing a constitutional amendment (4) the consideration of a motion for an amendment to the Constitution; and (5) the promulgation. The results of the study showed that overall methods for amending the constitution of the above three constitutions were similar. However, there are the differences in the details including the issue of the person who has the right to propose an amendment to the Constitution and the issue of consideration in the first and third readings. There were also differences in the issue of the promulgation and the authorization of members of parliament to submit their opinions to the Speaker of the House for further interpretation to the Constitutional Court, as well as the issue of allowing the people to vote for a referendum.