Parliament of Thailand

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This article describes the legislature of Thailand that existed prior to the military coup d'etat of September 19, 2006.
For the roles and responsibilities of national assemblies under previous constitutions, see Constitution of Thailand

The Parliament of Thailand (Thai: รัฐสภา, Rathasapha) was the legislative branch of the government of Thailand. It was organized is a bicameral body, consisting of two chambers: the Senate (วุฒิสภา, Wuthisapha) and the House of Representatives (สภาผู้แทนราษฎร, Saphaputhan Ratsadon).

The Senate was non-partisan with limited legislative powers, composed of 200 directly elected members from constituent districts, with every province having at least one senator. Terms were six years and excluded any additional officeholding or membership in a partizan organization. Under most prior constitutions, senators were appointed by the King.

The House of Representatives had 500 members, 400 of whom were directly elected from electoral constituencies, with the remainder drawn proportionally from party lists. The House was granted the primary responsibility for legislation, while the Senate was to approve, propose amendments, or reject. If the two deadlocked, the bill in question would be proposed for 180 days and then could be passed by the House without comment from the Senate.

Contents

[edit] Election results

For electoral history and final composition of the Assembly, see:

[edit] Latest election

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 2 April 2006 House of Representatives of Thailand election results
These results were invalidated by the Supreme Court
Parties Votes % Seats
Thais Love Thais Party (Phak Thai Rak Thai) 15,866,031 61.1 460
Others 267,196 1.1 -
No Vote 9,842,197 37.9 -
Vacant 40
Democrat Party (Phak Prachatipat) boycott
Thai Nation Party (Phak Chart Thai) boycott
Great People's Party (Phak Mahachon) boycott
Total valid votes (87.2 % of votes cast) 25,975,424 100.0 500
Invalid votes 3,815,870  
Valid votes (turnout 65.2 %) 29,791,294  
Registered voters 45,663,089  
Source : Adam Carr using MCOT website and other media websites. The TRT won 34.7 % of the registered voters.

[edit] Previous election

ed Summary of the 6 February 2005 House of Representatives of Thailand election results
Parties Votes % Seats
Thai Loves Thais Party (Phak Thai Rak Thai) 60.7 375
Democrat Party (Phak Prachatipat) 18.3 96
Thai Nation Party (Phak Chart Thai) 11.4 27
Great People's Party (Phak Machacon) 8.3 2
Phak Khonkhoplodnee (Khonkhoplodnee Party) 0.6 -
New Aspiration Party (Phak Khwam Wang Mai) 0.4 -
Total (turnout 72.% %)   500
Source: Angus Reid, The Nation and Adam Carr's Electoral Archives

[edit] House of Representatives of Thailand

[edit] References