3. Sources of Thai Law
3.1. The Constitution
The Kingdom of Thailand is a constitutional monarchy, and the Constitution is the supreme law of the country. The Constitution is a lengthy document and provides for the powers of the King, the National Assembly, the Council of Ministers, the Courts, and Constitutional Organs. The Constitution also includes provisions outlining the rights, liberties and duties of the people, and enumerates directive principles of fundamental state policies relating to e.g. national security, social and cultural affairs, foreign affairs, the economy and the environment. The Constitution may be amended by vote of more than one-half of the members of the National Assembly, with the approval of the King, or if the King shall not approve the amendment, by vote of not less than two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly. Amendments changing the form of government are not permitted. A discussion of the Thailand Constitution of 1997 can be found on the Thailand Law Forum website.
3.2. Codified Laws
The fundamental laws that form the backbone of Thai law have been codified into four codes: the Civil and Commercial Code, the Penal Code, the Civil Procedure Code and the Criminal Procedure Code.
The Civil and Commercial Code includes provisions relating to general principles, obligations, contract law, property law, family law and the law of succession. The provisions relating to general principles are particularly significant because they are often applied to laws outside the Civil and Commercial Code.
The Land Code (1954) was the first major legislation systemizing land laws in Thailand.