1. Checks and Balances in the Thai Parliamentary System
academic services bureau
The secretariat of the house of representatives
THAILAND

2. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E.2550 (2007)
The Sovereign Power
Legislative Power
Executive Power
Judicial Power
The National Assembly
The Council of Ministers
The Courts
The Senate
The House of Representatives

3. The Triangular Structure of Checks and Balances
The Council of Minister administering the country and enforcing the laws
The National Assembly making laws and overseeing the executive branch
The Courts
interpreting the laws and administering justice

4. The National Assembly (Westminster System)
76 elected from 76 provinces
The Senate
150 Senators
The rest (74) selected from the nominations, by the Senate Selection Committee
375 elected on a single member constituency basis
The House of Representatives
500 Members
125 elected on proportional party-list basis

5. The Council of Ministers
The Council consisted of not more than 36 members
 the prime minister
 no more than 35 other ministers

6. Parliamentary Oversight of the Executive Branch
1. Scrutiny over government policy and administration
2. Submission of a motion for the purpose of passing a vote of no-confidence (Prime Minister/individual ministers)
3. Approval of issues related to National Importance

7. Parliamentary Oversight of the Executive Branch (Con’t)
4. Approval/Recommendation/Selection of persons to hold positions and removal of key persons from offices
5. Consideration and approval of the person suitable to be appointed as Prime Minister
6. The Council of Ministers had to deliver policy statement to the National Assembly before taking office

8. The Executive Checks and Balances on the legislative branch
 The power to dissolve the House of Representatives

9. 1. The Rejection of Bills proposed by the Council of Ministers
Specific examples of Legislative Checks and Balances on the Executive Branch
1. The Rejection of Bills proposed by the Council of Ministers
 The Senate rejected the controversial amnesty bill in 2013

10. Specific examples of Legislative Checks and Balances on the Executive Branch (Con’t)
2. Joint Sittings of both Houses for approving of major national issues
 Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Treaty of ASEAN
 Agreement of ASEAN Free Trade Area with non-member
ASEAN countries

11.  THANK YOU 