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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

According to the records by Lieutenant General Prayoon Pamornmonsri, the issue of

monarchy and democracy was discussed in France prior to 1932 revolution, particularly between
two factions: a civil officer group led by Pridi Banomyong and the military group led by Field

Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram, the latter of which site to replace the monarchy with a republic.
Ultimately, the civil officer group prevailed, and Thailand has never adopted a republic system.

In the introduction to “History of the French Revolution Napoleon Bonaparte, part one” (1934),
written by Prince Aditya Dibabha, Pridi Panomyong clearly stated that Thailand should not

follow France’s example by abolishing the monarchy, arguing instead that the monarchy should
remain as head of state. This assertion followed king Rama VII’s abdication after a conflict with

the People’s Party. Pridi insisted on maintaining a monarch, and King Rama VII was informed
that, should he refuse, the People’s Party would seek another member of the royal family to

take the throne.
Regarding the question of how the monarchy can function alongside a democratic system,

elected by the public, professor, Samuel P. Huntington proposed three possible transitions
from monarchy to democracy. The first was a transformation, where the king would become

a ceremonial figure, presiding only over state functions and following guidance of the elected
government and parliament. The second option was a coexistence, where the king would

remain head of state and retain political power while the government would be formed through
elections. The third option, a conflictual scenario, involved maintaining the monarchy while

engaging in an ongoing struggle between the king and the public. In this scenario, the monarchy
has successfully prevailed over the public.

According to the encyclopedia Britannica, where constitutional monarchy is practiced,
the lecturer pointed out that they use often neglect and important aspect of constitutional

monarchy: the monarchy may either serve as the de facto head of state or remain purely
ceremonial.

In political science, constitutional monarchies are generally characterized by two features.
The first is where the king X as a ceremonial leader–he remains, but does not rule, holding

no political power. Examples of this type include the United Kingdom, Scandinavian countries,
and Japan. The second feature involves the king as ahead of state with political influence,

despite being subject to the constitution. According to Carsten Anckar in the article
“constitutional monarchies and semi constitutional monarchies: a global historical study

1800 to 2017,” published online on October 6, 2020, this model allows, the king to maintain
political independence and influence over the elected government. Historical examples of

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