Thanet, Aphornsuvan2004-07-302004-09-282011-01-052004-09-282011-01-052001909524262http://hdl.handle.net/1885/42075In conclusion, it can be seen that the significance of the constitution in Thai political history and government is its function to serve the stability of the regime. In this sense, the Thai constitutions represented realities of power relations more than being the source of political legitimacy. The 1997 Constitution, however, intends to introduce a change from representative democracy to participatory democracy. This can be seen in the establishment of the independent commissions such as the Election Commission, the Administrative Court and the Ombudsman. Peoples power is recognized so that they can recall certain members of Parliament and ministers and propose draft bills to Parliament. Individual rights and liberties are expanded together with communal rights. The principles and practices of checks and balances and the separation of powers figure prominently in the Constitution. The 1997 Constitution therefore makes clear that sovereign power belongs to the people and only the people can legitimately use this power.This conference was supported by the generosity of the Japan Foundation Asia Centre, AusAID, the Daiwa Foundation for Asia and Oceania, the Myer Foundation and The Australian National University's National Institute for Asia and the Pacific and the Humanities Research Centre.1 vol.application/pdfen-AU(C) Division of Pacific and Asia History, RSPAS, ANU 2003. This work is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism, or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 as amended, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission.human rightsdemocracyseparation of powerspolitical reformThaipolitical history2001