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ดุลพาห

Not only do the eligible locals have the right to vote for their members of the local
assembly, but they are also entitled to sign a joint petition for introducing an

ordinance or for removing a member of a local assembly or a local administrator.

As discussed prior, the idea of a people-centered constitution in Thailand

emanates from the period of time in which the country was going through a series of
character-defining events, featuring a popular uprising and an international financial

crisis. Even with several iterations of the Constitution following the political upheavals
that toppled a few democratically elected governments and the intervention of a number

of military-ruled regimes, the evidence of constitutional safeguards and promotion of
individual rights, civil liberties, and popular participation in the country’s affairs is still

very much entrenched. Nevertheless, the Constitution represents nothing but
beautifully written principles and ideas if it fails to inspire a consistent and thoughtful

real-world implementation as well as a process of learning from past mistakes. Having
said that, even though Thailand has to keep jump-starting the democracy several times

in the past couple of decades, it is clear from the black letter evidence of the law that,
at least, the concept of participatory governance is here to stay.

Chapter 2: Public Participation and the Thai Administrative Law

The Administrative Court jurisdiction is established by virtue of Section 197

of the Constitution. Nevertheless, the first introduction of the Administrative Court
system in Thailand stems from the People’s Constitution of 1997, i.e. exactly 20 years
prior. The Administrative Court was established to carry out two main missions in

accordance with the principle of the rule of law: to restrict the authorities of the State

and to protect the rights and freedoms of the people. Legislations were amended to
prevent arbitrary use of powers and to acknowledge and protect the rights of the

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