“Phrabat Somdet Phra Paramintharamaha Bhumibol Adulyadej Mahitalathibet Ramathibodi Chakkri Narubodin Sayammintharathirat Borommanatthabophit is graciously pleased to proclaim that:
The National Council for Peace and Order, consisting of soldier and police forces, has informed the King that the situation of the prolonged political conflict in Bangkok and nearby areas has spreaded throughout the nation. Fractions have emerged between the Thai people, with unfriendly attitudes toward each other. Violence and weapons were used. People cannot live their lives peacefully. The political deadlock had affected legislative, executive and judicial power. Law enforcement was ineffective. This serious situation had never happened before. Although the government tried to solve the power with legal means; for example, security laws were enforced, House of Representatives was dissolved and elections were held. Non-conflicting stakeholders such as business and public sectors, constitutional agencies, political parties, the army, and senators have urged for negotiation and reconciliation. However, it was unsuccessful and the conflict escalated without a solution. The conflict was escalated to the point where lives and properties were unsafe. As a consequence, people’s lives, especially farmers, were affected. It also affected the economic development of the country, people’s trust in the state power, and foreign investors’ trust. Moreover, it paved ways for more crimes and conflicts which will destroy the national security and people’s faith in the democracy with the King as the Head of State. Therefore, the National Council for Peace and Order had the necessity to take control of the country administration on 22 May 2014, and declared the suspension of the 2007 Constitution, apart from Provision 2 on the King. The National Council for Peace and Order has established a three stage roadmap. The first stage is to prevent and cease violence and the use of weapons against civilians; stop people’s fear, and solve the economic, social and political problems, and prepare for the second stage. The second stage is to proclaim the interim constitution; establish National Legislative Assembly, aninterim government, and establish Reform Council to promulgate the new constitution to be more effective, before handling these duties to the Thai citizens and the Council of Ministers to administer the country in the next stage. In the third stage, importance will be given to basic principles rather than to democracy only. Thus, there is a need to create peace and reconciliation environment to bring the loss of happiness back to the people, and to reform certain matters which were ineffective and did not respond to the problems and needs of the people of the country. This should not take a lot of time when compared to time wasting by waiting for the situation to continue. Therefore, the King proclaimed the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (interim version) until the new constitution, which will be written under the provisions of this constitution,be enforced.”
The interim Constitution contains 48 Articles. It is countersigned by Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha, Chief of National Council for Peace and Order.
Thailand-Constitution-2014-eng (full text in English, PDF)
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