Editing Thailand (section)

== Politics and government ==
{{main|Politics of Thailand}}
{{further|Constitutions of Thailand|Government of Thailand|Elections in Thailand}}
{{multiple image
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| image1            = King Rama X official (crop) (cropped).png
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| caption1          = [[Vajiralongkorn]]<br />[[King of Thailand]]<br />since 13 October 2016
| image2            = Paetongtarn Shinawatra October 2023.jpg
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| caption2          = [[Paetongtarn Shinawatra]]<br />[[Prime Minister of Thailand]]<br />since 16 August 2024
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Prior to 1932, Thai kings were feudal or [[absolute monarchy|absolute monarchs]]. During [[Sukhothai Kingdom]], the king was seen as a ''Dharmaraja'' or 'king who rules in accordance with [[Dharma]]'. The system of government was a network of tributaries ruled by local lords. Modern absolute monarchy and statehood was established by Chulalongkorn when he transformed the decentralised protectorate system into a unitary state. On 24 June 1932, [[Khana Ratsadon]] (People's Party) carried out a bloodless revolution which marked the beginning of [[constitutional monarchy]].

Thailand has had 20 constitutions and charters since 1932, including the latest and current 2017 Constitution. All constitutions state that the politics is conducted within the framework of a constitutional monarchy, but the ''de facto'' form of government has ranged from military dictatorship to electoral democracy.<ref name="multiple">{{Cite news |date=19 September 2006 |title=A list of previous coups in Thailand |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060919/thailand_coups_060919/20060919/ |url-status=dead |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071016060633/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060919/thailand_coups_060919/20060919/ |archive-date=16 October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 September 2006 |title=Raw Data: List of Recent Coups in Thailand's History |publisher=[[Fox News]] |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/raw-data-list-of-recent-coups-in-thailands-history |url-status=live |access-date=25 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706035133/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C214562%2C00.html |archive-date=6 July 2008}}</ref> Thailand's current form of government is part democracy and part dictatorship; many terms are used to describe it.{{efn-lr|Such as: "constitutional dictatorship" or "parliamentary dictatorship",<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abuza |first1=Zachary |title=Thailand's Constitutional Dictatorship Weathers the Storm |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/thailands-constitutional-dictatorship-weathers-the-storm/ |access-date=14 March 2022 |work=[[The Diplomat (magazine)|The Diplomat]] |date=27 September 2021}}</ref> "military coup regime",<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Glassman |first1=Jim |title=Lineages of the Authoritarian State in Thailand: Military Dictatorship, Lazy Capitalism and the Cold War Past as Post-Cold War Prologue |journal=[[Journal of Contemporary Asia]] |date=2020 |volume=50 |issue=4 |pages=571–592 |doi=10.1080/00472336.2019.1688378 |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00472336.2019.1688378 |access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref> "semicivilian" or "semi-elected",<ref>{{cite news |title=Thailand: Freedom in the World 2021 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/thailand/freedom-world/2021 |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref> "managed democracy",<ref>{{cite news |title=Prem Tinsulanonda's Legacy—and the Failures of Thai Politics Today |url=https://www.cfr.org/blog/prem-tinsulanondas-legacy-and-failures-thai-politics-today |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=Council on Foreign Relations |language=en}}</ref> and "guided democracy".<ref>{{cite news |title=Election observers call still-partial Thai vote count flawed |url=https://apnews.com/article/d0801b87d34b459bb45e6f3c9f679ac7 |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=AP NEWS |date=27 March 2019 |language=en}}</ref>}} Thailand has had the fourth-most [[Coup d'état|coups]] in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |script-title=th:สถิติที่ไม่น่าภูมิใจเมื่อไทยติดอันดับที่ 4 ประเทศที่มีการรัฐประหารบ่อยที่สุดในโลก |url=http://www.siamintelligence.com/thai-forth-coup-0f-the-world/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163620/http://www.siamintelligence.com/thai-forth-coup-0f-the-world/ |archive-date=6 April 2018 |access-date=6 April 2018 |website=Siam Intelligence |language=th}}</ref> "Uniformed or ex-military men have led Thailand for 55 of the 83 years" between 1932 and 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gray |first=Denis D. |date=22 August 2015 |title=Deadly bombing in military-ruled Thailand adds to mounting woes in one-time 'Land of Smiles' |work=U.S. News & World Report |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/08/22/bombing-the-latest-of-many-challenges-for-thailands-junta |url-status=live |access-date=23 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822143742/http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2015/08/22/bombing-the-latest-of-many-challenges-for-thailands-junta |archive-date=22 August 2015}}</ref> Most recently, the [[military junta]] self-titled as the [[National Council for Peace and Order]] ruled the country between 2014 and 2019.

[[File:Thai parliament.jpg|thumb|[[Sappaya-Sapasathan]], the current Parliament House of Thailand|alt=]]

Government is [[Separation of powers|separated]] into three branches:
* The legislative branch: the [[National Assembly of Thailand|National Assembly]] is composed of the [[Senate of Thailand|Senate]], the 200-member indirectly elected [[upper house]] and [[House of Representatives of Thailand|House of Representatives]], the elected 500-member [[lower house]]. Its most recent election is [[2023 Thai general election|the 2023 general election]]. The coalition led by Pheu Thai Party currently holds the majority. The [[2024 Thai Senate election]] was the first senate election held under the current constitution in the process criticized as "the most complicated election in the world".<ref>{{cite news |title=A guide to Thailand's next Senate and 'the most complicated election in the world' |url=https://www.thaipbsworld.com/a-guide-to-thailands-next-senate-and-the-most-complicated-election-in-the-world/ |access-date=22 April 2024 |date=17 April 2024}}</ref> The senate is allegedly dominated by [[Bhumjaithai Party]]-affiliated senators.<ref>{{cite news |title="มงคล สุระสัจจะ"ผงาดนั่ง "ประธานวุฒิสภา" คนใหม่ ด้วยมติสว.ท่วมท้น 159 คะแนน |url=https://www.thansettakij.com/politics/602380 |access-date=23 July 2024 |work=thansettakij |date=23 July 2024 |language=th-TH}}</ref>
* The executive branch consisting of the [[Prime Minister of Thailand]], the [[head of government]], and other cabinet members of up to 35 people. The Prime Minister was elected by the House of Representatives. The current constitution mandates that prime ministers are to be considered from candidates nominated by political parties before the election. The current prime minister is [[Paetongtarn Shinawatra]], a member of the Pheu Thai Party.
* The [[judiciary]] is supposed to be independent of the executive and the legislative branches, although judicial rulings are suspected of being based on political considerations rather than on existing law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 May 2014 |title=Thailand's juristocracy |url=http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2014/05/17/thailands-juristocracy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905162923/http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2014/05/17/thailands-juristocracy/ |archive-date=5 September 2015}}</ref>

Military and bureaucratic aristocrats fully controlled political parties between 1946 and the 1980s.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Teehankee |first1=Julio |last2=Tiulegenov |first2=Medet |last3=Wang |first3=Yi-ting |last4=Ciobanu |first4=Vlad |last5=Lindberg |first5=Staffan I. |title=Party System in South and Southeast Asia: A Thematic Report Based on Data 1900–2012 |journal=V-Dem Thematic Report Series, No. 2, October 2013}}</ref>{{rp|16}} Most parties in Thailand are short-lived.<ref name="Croissant 2010" />{{rp|246}} Between 1992 and 2006, Thailand had a [[two-party system]].<ref name="Croissant 2010">{{Cite journal |last1=Croissant |first1=Aurel |last2=Völkel |first2=Philip |date=21 December 2010 |title=Party system types and party system institutionalization: Comparing new democracies in East and Southeast Asia |journal=Party Politics |volume=18 |issue=2 |doi=10.1177/1354068810380096 |s2cid=145074799}}</ref>{{rp|245}} Later constitutions created a multi-party system where a single party cannot gain a majority in the house.

A [[Hereditary monarchy|hereditary monarch]] serves as Thailand's [[head of state]]. The current King of Thailand is [[Vajiralongkorn]] (Rama X), who has reigned since October 2016. The powers of the king are limited by the constitution and he is primarily a symbolic figurehead. However, the monarch still occasionally intervenes in Thai politics, as all constitutions pave the way for customary royal rulings. Some academics outside Thailand, including [[Duncan McCargo]] and Federico Ferrara, noted extraconstitutional role of the monarch through a "[[network monarchy]]" behind the political scenes.<ref>McCargo, Duncan, "Network monarchy and legitimacy crises in Thailand", ''The Pacific Review'', volume 18, issue 4, December 2005</ref> The monarchy is protected by the severe [[Lèse majesté in Thailand|''lèse majesté'' law]], even though the people's attitude towards the institution varies from one reign to another.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Head |first=Jonathan |date=5 December 2007 |title=Why Thailand's king is so revered |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7128935.stm |url-status=live |access-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217135052/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7128935.stm |archive-date=17 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Denby |first=Kenneth |title=Thai protests: The king who made himself a gift to republicans |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/asia/article/thai-protests-the-king-who-made-himself-a-gift-to-republicans-zlzgtj6wp |url-status=live |access-date=31 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210731100534/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/thai-protests-the-king-who-made-himself-a-gift-to-republicans-zlzgtj6wp |archive-date=31 July 2021}}</ref>

The kings are protected by ''lèse-majesté'' laws which allow critics to be jailed for three to fifteen years.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Champion |first=Paul |date=25 September 2007 |title=Professor in lese majeste row |work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=67215&videoChannel=1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013134234/https://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=67215&videoChannel=1 |archive-date=13 October 2007}}</ref> After the [[2014 Thai coup d'état|coup d'état in 2014]], Thailand had the highest [[:Category:People accused of lèse majesté in Thailand|number of ''lèse-majesté'' prisoners]] in the nation's history.<ref>[http://prachatai.com/english/node/4218 2014 coup marks the highest number of lèse-majesté prisoners in Thai history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501201647/https://prachatai.com/english/node/4218 |date=1 May 2019 }}. ''Prachatai''.</ref><ref>"[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/thailand-monarchy-insult-man-jailed-king-facebook-vichai-thepwong-social-media-online-block-a7783166.html Thailand jails man for 35 years for insulting the monarchy on Facebook] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423035004/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/thailand-monarchy-insult-man-jailed-king-facebook-vichai-thepwong-social-media-online-block-a7783166.html |date=23 April 2018 }}". ''The Independent''. 10 June 2017.</ref> [[Human rights in Thailand]] has been rated ''[[Freedom in the World (report)|not free]]'' on the [[Freedom House]] Index since 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 January 2018 |title=Thailand |url=https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/thailand |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180414010430/https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/thailand |archive-date=14 April 2018 |access-date=3 May 2018 |website=freedomhouse.org}}</ref> On August 7, 2024, Thailand's [[Constitutional Court of Thailand|Constitutional Court]] banned the victors of the [[2023 Thai general election|2023 parliamentary elections]], the [[Move Forward Party]] and all of its leaders from politics for its proposal to reform the lèse-majesté law, arguing it posed a threat to the constitutional order.<ref name="Economist1">{{Cite news |date=7 August 2024 |title=Thailand's top court tramples over the country's democracy |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/08/07/thailands-top-court-tramples-over-the-countrys-democracy |access-date=17 August 2024 |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816203416/https://www.economist.com/asia/2024/08/07/thailands-top-court-tramples-over-the-countrys-democracy |url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[The Economist]]'' criticised the move as an example of "[[lawfare]]" and pointed to the dissolution of its predecessor party, [[Future Forward Party|Future Forward]] in 2020, as the latest example of how an "alliance of conservative forces in Thailand—including monarchists, the army and a handful of business tycoons—has sought to suppress opposition".<ref name="Economist1"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 August 2024 |title=Banning the opposition won't save Thailand's unpopular regime |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/08/07/banning-the-opposition-wont-save-thailands-unpopular-regime |access-date=17 August 2024 |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816195826/https://www.economist.com/leaders/2024/08/07/banning-the-opposition-wont-save-thailands-unpopular-regime |url-status=live}}</ref>

On the [[Freedom House|Freedom in the World 2024 Report]] for Thailand, their status improved from ''[[Freedom in the World|not free]]'' to ''[[Freedom in the world|partly free]]'' due to competitive parliamentary elections and the formation of a new governing coalition by what had been a major opposition party, though unelected senators ensured that the party with the most votes was excluded.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 February 2024
|title=Thailand: Freedom in the World 2024 Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602220348/https://freedomhouse.org/country/thailand/freedom-world/2024
|url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/thailand/freedom-world/2024
|archive-date=2 June 2024 |access-date=29 February 2024
|website=freedomhouse.org}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Organization of the government of Thailand|Provinces of Thailand|Administrative Divisions of Thailand}}
{{See also|Regions of Thailand}}
Thailand is a [[unitary state]]; the administrative services of the executive branch are divided into three levels by ''National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534'' (1991): central, provincial and local. Thailand is composed of 76<!--not 77, Bangkok is not a province, see next sentence!--> [[Provinces of Thailand|provinces]] ({{lang|th|จังหวัด}}, ''changwat''),<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 March 2020 |title=ประกาศกรมการปกครอง เรื่อง แจ้งข้อมูลทางการปกครอง |url=http://www.oic.go.th/FILEWEB/CABINFOCENTER17/DRAWER007/GENERAL/DATA0000/00000024.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520091920/http://www.oic.go.th/FILEWEB/CABINFOCENTER17/DRAWER007/GENERAL/DATA0000/00000024.PDF |archive-date=20 May 2021 |access-date=4 March 2018 |website=กรมการปกครอง |language=th}}</ref> which are first-level [[administrative division]]s. There are also two specially governed districts: the capital [[Bangkok]] and [[Pattaya]]. Bangkok is at provincial level and thus often counted as a province. Each province is divided into [[Districts of Thailand|districts]] ({{lang|th|อำเภอ}}, ''amphoe'') and the districts are further divided into sub-districts ({{lang|th|ตำบล}}, ''tambons''). The name of each province's capital city ({{lang|th|เมือง}}, mueang) is the same as that of the province. For example, the capital of [[Chiang Mai Province]] (''Changwat Chiang Mai'') is ''Mueang Chiang Mai'' or ''Chiang Mai''. All provincial governors and district chiefs, which are administrators of provinces and districts respectively, are appointed by the central government.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LOCAL PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION B.E. 2542 (1999) |url=http://www.dla.go.th/upload/enDocument/2012/6/1_1.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801073238/http://www.dla.go.th/upload/enDocument/2012/6/1_1.pdf |archive-date=1 August 2019 |access-date=11 December 2017 |website=Department of Local Administration (DLA)}}</ref> Thailand's provinces are sometimes grouped into four to six regions, depending on the source.

{{Provinces of Thailand Image Map}}

=== Foreign relations ===
{{main|Foreign relations of Thailand}}
[[File:Rama IX of Thailand and Barack Obama.jpg|thumb|King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] in a meeting with U.S. President [[Barack Obama]], 18 November 2012]]
Siam's and Thailand's way of conducting foreign relations has long been described as "bamboo bending with the wind", of policies that are "always solidly rooted, but flexible enough to bend whichever way the wind blows in order to survive",<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Chivvis |first1=Christopher S. |last2=Marciel |first2=Scot |last3=Geaghan‑Breiner |first3=Beatrix |date=26 October 2023 |title=Thailand in the Emerging World Order |url=https://carnegieendowment.org/research/2023/10/thailand-in-the-emerging-world-order?lang=en |access-date=19 May 2024 |website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace}}</ref> or adaptable and pragmatic. In order to secure independence, it sought to pit one great power against the others so that it would be dominated by none.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 September 2021 |title=The bamboo breaks: Thailand's diplomatic challenge|work=The Strategist |url=https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-bamboo-breaks-thailands-diplomatic-challenge/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526192532/https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/the-bamboo-breaks-thailands-diplomatic-challenge/ |archive-date=26 May 2022}}</ref>

During the [[Cold War]], Thailand sought to prevent the spread of communism so it joined the United States, including participating in [[SEATO]] alliance, sending expeditions to Korea and Vietnam, and offering the US to use its base. Thailand is one of the five founding members of [[Association of Southeast Asian Nations]] (ASEAN), initially to safeguard against communism. The end of [[Vietnam War]] was a turning point in Thai foreign policy and afterwards it sought to improve relations with Communist China and its now-Communist neighbours. Thailand remains an active member of ASEAN and seek to project its influence in it. Thailand has developed increasingly close ties with other members, with progressing regional co-operation in economic, trade, banking, political, and cultural matters.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rakson |first=Katsamaporn |date=July–December 2018 |title=Investigating Thailand's self-perception in the regional context towards ASEAN |url=https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/Veridian-E-Journal/article/download/166438/141875/625674 |journal=Veridian E-Journal, Silpakorn University |volume=11 |issue=5 |pages=568–578 |access-date=9 August 2023 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230236/https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/Veridian-E-Journal/article/download/166438/141875/625674 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2000s, Thailand had taken an active role on the international stage and participated fully in international and regional organisations. It is a [[major non-NATO ally]] and Priority Watch List [[Special 301 Report]] of the United States. When [[East Timor]] gained independence from Indonesia, Thailand contributed troops to the international peacekeeping effort.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Strategic Partnership Between Australia and Thailand: A Case Study of East Timor |url=https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-politics-economics-and-law/volume-2-issue-1/article-4/ |access-date=2024-01-01 |journal=IAFOR Journal of Politics, Economics & Law |year=2015|doi=10.22492/ijpel.2.1.04 |last1=Chieocharnpraphan |first1=Thosaphon |volume=2 |doi-access=free |archive-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101161923/https://iafor.org/journal/iafor-journal-of-politics-economics-and-law/volume-2-issue-1/article-4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of its effort to increase international ties, Thailand had reached out to such regional organisations as the [[Organization of American States]] (OAS)<ref>{{Cite web |last=OAS |date=2009-08-01 |title=OAS – Organization of American States: Democracy for peace, security, and development |url=https://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=e-215/03 |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=OAS – Organization of American States|archive-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101162926/https://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=e-215/03 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]] (OSCE).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thailand attends 2023 OSCE Asian Conference with aim to further promote Asia-Europe cooperation |url=https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/osce170723-2?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e |access-date=2024-01-01 |website=กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ|archive-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101161423/https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/osce170723-2?cate=5d5bcb4e15e39c306000683e |url-status=live }}</ref>

During [[Thaksin Shinawatra]]'s premiership, negotiations for several [[free trade agreement]]s with China, Australia, Bahrain, India, and the US were initiated. Thaksin sought to position Thailand as a regional leader, initiating various development projects in poorer neighbouring countries. More controversially, he established close, friendly ties with the Burmese dictatorship.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090103061415/http://www.burmait.net/ict-news/2007/aug07/thaksin-to-face-charges-over-burma-telecom-deal/ 'Thaksin to face charges over Burma telecom deal]. ICT News, 2 August 2007</ref> Thailand joined the US-led [[2003 invasion of Iraq|invasion of Iraq]], sending a [[Thai Humanitarian Assistance Task Force 976 Thai-Iraq|humanitarian contingent]] until September 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2003 |title=Thai troops join Iraq force – Sep. 4, 2003 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/09/04/sprj.irq.thai.troops/index.html |access-date=20 December 2021 |publisher=CNN|archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328150809/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/09/04/sprj.irq.thai.troops/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Thailand also had contributed troops to reconstruction efforts in [[Afghanistan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=ภาพเก่าเล่าตำนาน : ทหารช่างไทย...ไปทำอะไร...ในอัฟกานิสถาน โดย พลเอก นิพัทธ์ ทองเล็ก |url=https://www.matichon.co.th/article/news_2822402 |access-date=1 January 2024 |website=Matichon Online |date=12 July 2021 |language=th |archive-date=20 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120062820/https://www.matichon.co.th/article/news_2822402 |url-status=live |author1=Matichon }}</ref>

In April 2009, the [[Cambodian–Thai border dispute]] brought troops on territory immediately adjacent to the 900-year-old ruins of Cambodia's [[Preah Vihear Temple|Preah Vihear]] Hindu temple near the border.<ref>The Telegraph, [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/5101029/Troops-from-Thailand-and-Cambodia-fight-on-border.html Troops from Thailand and Cambodia fight on border] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523080330/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/thailand/5101029/Troops-from-Thailand-and-Cambodia-fight-on-border.html |date=23 May 2010 }}, 3 April 2009</ref><ref>Bloomberg, [https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080&sid=a2G.h3Ms.a3s&refer=asia Thai, Cambodian Border Fighting Stops, Thailand Says] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014072312/http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601080 |date=14 October 2007 }}</ref>

After the 2014 coup, Thailand leaned more towards China.<ref>Prashanth Parameswaran. (2014). [https://thediplomat.com/2014/12/thailand-turns-to-china/ Thailand Turns to China] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427033345/https://thediplomat.com/2014/12/thailand-turns-to-china/ |date=27 April 2022 }}. ''The Diplomat''. Retrieved 3 January 2018.</ref> Growing Chinese influence and capital inflow caused some members of parliament to raise the concern about "economic colony" under China after many concessions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 February 2020 |title=MPs warned of an economic colony as opposition zeroed in on Thailand's impaired relationship with China |work=Thai Examiner |url=https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2020/02/28/thailand-relationship-china-thai-government-opposition-critiscism/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019080345/https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2020/02/28/thailand-relationship-china-thai-government-opposition-critiscism/ |archive-date=19 October 2020}}</ref>

During the [[Gaza war|Israel-Gaza war]] in 2023, at first Thailand's prime minister stated that his government strongly condemns the attack against Israel and extends its deepest condolences to the government and the people of Israel<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1710624065076314165 |user=Thavisin |title=In light of today's tragic incident...}}</ref> but the government later changed its position and announced that Thailand adopted a neutral stance in this conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 October 2023 |title=Israel-Palestine war: Thailand adopts neutral stance |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40031729 |access-date=15 October 2023 |website=nationthailand|archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016021118/https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40031729 |url-status=live }}</ref> 28 Thai nationals were killed in this conflict.<ref>{{Cite web |title=คนไทยในอิสราเอลตายเพิ่ม 4 รวมเป็น 28 คน เร่งอพยพกลับไทย |url=https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/332821 |access-date=15 October 2023 |website=Thai PBS |language=th |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016005435/https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/332821 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Armed forces ===
{{Main|Royal Thai Armed Forces}}

[[File:Chakri Naruebet 2001.JPEG|thumb|right|The [[HTMS Chakri Naruebet|HTMS ''Chakri Naruebet'']], an [[aircraft carrier]] of the [[Royal Thai Navy]]]]
The [[Royal Thai Armed Forces]] (กองทัพไทย; {{RTGS|Kong Thap Thai}}) constitute the military of the Kingdom of Thailand. It consists of the [[Royal Thai Army]] (กองทัพบกไทย), the [[Royal Thai Navy]] (กองทัพเรือไทย), and the [[Royal Thai Air Force]] (กองทัพอากาศไทย). It also incorporates various [[paramilitary]] forces.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

The Thai Armed Forces have a combined manpower of 306,000 active duty personnel and another 245,000 active reserve personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thailand Military Strength |url=http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=Thailand |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208024629/http://www.globalfirepower.com/country-military-strength-detail.asp?country_id=Thailand |archive-date=8 February 2015 |access-date=15 December 2014 |website=Global Firepower}}</ref> The [[Monarchy of Thailand|head of the Thai Armed Forces]] (จอมทัพไทย, ''Chom Thap Thai'') is the king,<ref>[[s:2007 Constitution of Thailand#Chapter 2 : The King|Chapter 2 of the 2007 Constitution of Thailand]]</ref> although this position is only nominal. The armed forces are managed by the [[Ministry of Defence (Thailand)|Ministry of Defence of Thailand]], which is headed by the Minister of Defence (a member of the [[cabinet of Thailand]]) and commanded by the [[Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters]], which in turn is headed by the [[List of Commanders of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters|Chief of Defence Forces of Thailand]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=_cf63a28daf.jpg (3194×2055) |url=https://strapi.rtarf.mi.th/uploads/_cf63a28daf.jpg |access-date=2 January 2024 |website=กองบัญชาการกองทัพไทย |language=th |archive-date=1 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240101173458/https://strapi.rtarf.mi.th/uploads/_cf63a28daf.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> Thai annual defence budget almost tripled from US$1.98 billion in 2005 to US$5.88 billion in 2016, accounting for approximately 1.4% of GDP.<ref name="World Bank Open Data">{{Cite web |title=World Bank Open Data |url=https://data.worldbank.org/ |access-date=2024-01-03 |website=World Bank Open Data |archive-date=26 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526025607/https://data.worldbank.org/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Thailand ranked 16th worldwide in the [[List of countries by Military Strength Index|Military Strength Index]] based on the [[Credit Suisse]] report in September 2015.<ref name="CreditSuisse2015">{{cite report|url=http://publications.credit-suisse.com/tasks/render/file/index.cfm?fileid=EE7A6A5D-D9D5-6204-E9E6BB426B47D054|title=The End of Globalization or a more Multipolar World?|publisher=[[Credit Suisse]] AG|first1=Michael|last1=O'Sullivan|first2=Krithika|last2=Subramanian|date=2015-10-17|access-date=2017-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215235711/http://publications.credit-suisse.com/tasks/render/file/index.cfm?fileid=EE7A6A5D-D9D5-6204-E9E6BB426B47D054|archive-date=15 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Exercise Cope Tiger (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|A Royal Thai Air Force [[JAS 39 Gripen]]]]

The military is also tasked with humanitarian missions, such as escorting [[Rohingya]] to Malaysia or Indonesia,<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 July 2019 |title=Thailand Offers Persecuted Rohingya Little Hope |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/07/31/thailand-offers-persecuted-rohingya-little-hope |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609171802/https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/07/31/thailand-offers-persecuted-rohingya-little-hope |archive-date=9 June 2020 |access-date=27 May 2020 |publisher=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> ensuring security and welfare for refugees during [[Indochina refugee crisis]].<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2Z6aDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA13 |title=Battlefield Bangkok: The Royal Thai Army 2000–2014 |date=4 April 2015 |publisher=Dean Wilson |isbn=9781326046767 |access-date=1 July 2020 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328150811/https://books.google.com/books?id=2Z6aDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA13#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to the constitution, serving in the armed forces is a duty of all Thai citizens.<ref>[[s:2007 Constitution of Thailand#Chapter 4: Duties of the Thai People|Chapter 4 of the 2007 Constitution of Thailand]]</ref> Thailand still use active draft system for males over the age of 21. They are subjected to varying lengths of active service depending on the duration of reserve training as [[Territorial Defence Student]] and their level of education. Those who have completed three years or more of reserve training will be exempted entirely. The practice has long been criticized, as some media question its efficacy and value.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 August 2018 |title=Let's stop forcing boys to be soldiers |work=The Nation |department=Opinion |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/detail/opinion/30353201 |url-status=live |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828235424/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30353201 |archive-date=28 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 March 2018 |title=Do away with conscription |work=Bangkok Post |department=Opinion |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1434054/do-away-with-conscription |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328150820/https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1434054/do-away-with-conscription |url-status=live }}</ref> It is alleged that conscripts end up as servants to senior officers<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 July 2018 |title=Prawit denies servant for officer policy |work=Bangkok Post |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1505262/prawit-denies-servant-for-officer-policy |access-date=18 July 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328150838/https://ow.pubmatic.com/setuid?bidder=amx&uid=b79ee476-fd20-4793-9474-9de566f7904e&do=www.bangkokpost.com |url-status=live }}</ref> or clerks in military cooperative shops.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 November 2017 |title=Ex-private stands firm after being harassed online for criticising military |work=Pratchatai English |url=https://prachatai.com/english/node/7454 |url-status=live |access-date=4 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021744/https://prachatai.com/english/node/7454 |archive-date=7 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 July 2018 |title=Conscripts aren't servants |work=Bangkok Post |department=Opinion |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1506062/conscripts-arent-servants |access-date=20 July 2018 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328150837/https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1506062/conscripts-arent-servants |url-status=live }}</ref> In a report issued in March 2020, [[Amnesty International]] charged that Thai military conscripts face institutionalised abuse systematically hushed up by military authorities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=23 March 2020 |title=Weeks after Korat massacre, Amnesty report describes conscript abuses |work=Bangkok Post |agency=Reuters|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1884760/weeks-after-korat-massacre-amnesty-report-describes-conscript-abuses |access-date=23 March 2020 |archive-date=28 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328151325/https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1884760/weeks-after-korat-massacre-amnesty-report-describes-conscript-abuses |url-status=live }}</ref>

Critics observed that Thai military's main objective is to deal with internal rather than external threats.<ref name="Asia Sentinel 2017">{{Cite news |date=14 November 2017 |title=Thailand's Deep State—The Military |work=[[Asia Sentinel]] |url=https://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/thailand-military-deep-state/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114130725/https://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/thailand-military-deep-state/ |archive-date=14 November 2017}}</ref> [[Internal Security Operations Command]] is called the political arm of the Thai military, which has overlapping social and political functions with civilian bureaucracy. It also has anti-democracy mission.<ref name="Asia Sentinel 2017" /> The military is also notorious for numerous corruption incidents, such as accusation of [[human trafficking in Thailand|human trafficking]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 July 2013 |title=Thai Navy Accused of Involvement in Smuggling Rohingya Muslims |url=https://www.chiangraitimes.com/thailand-national-news/news-asia-thailand/thai-navy-accused-of-involvement-in-smuggling-rohingya-muslims/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929171722/https://www.chiangraitimes.com/thailand-national-news/news-asia-thailand/thai-navy-accused-of-involvement-in-smuggling-rohingya-muslims/ |archive-date=29 September 2020 |access-date=27 May 2020}}</ref> and [[nepotism]] in promotion of high-ranking officers.<ref>{{Cite news |last=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=16 April 2016 |title="บิ๊กติ๊ก"ตั้งลูก ติดยศทหาร อ้างให้งานทำ |work=[[Post Today]] |url=https://www.posttoday.com/politic/news/426850 |url-status=live |access-date=29 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620150611/https://www.posttoday.com/politic/news/426850 |archive-date=20 June 2019}}</ref> The military is deeply entrenched in politics. Most recently, the appointed senators include more than 100 active and retired military.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thai Junta Fills Senate with Military, Police Officers |work=Benar News |url=https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/senate-list-05142019154817.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926050110/https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/senate-list-05142019154817.html |archive-date=26 September 2020 |access-date=26 May 2020 |publisher=benarnews}}</ref>

Thailand is the 75th most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2024 [[Global Peace Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 Global Peace Index |url=https://www.economicsandpeace.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/GPI-2024-web.pdf}}</ref>