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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

His Majesty King Rama IV had a drum for justice named “Winitchai Pheri,” which any one in need

can strike to raise a complaint. Their Majesties King Rama IX and X both received these types of
petitions.

Thailand has an ombudsman to help people in trouble, much like Sweden, which claims
to be the first nation to establish the role. In fact, Thai kings have been helping their people

long before the Swedish ombudsman system was introduced. Professor Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam
gave an example of a woman who submitted a petition to bring her son out of a monastery

because she had no one to take care of her. His Majesty the King not only gave her financial
support but also sent a cook to teach her how to cook “Pad Thai.” Later, this woman sent another

petition asking for keeping her son in the monastery as she was now able to support herself and
no longer want to burden others. Professor Dr. Wissanu Krea-ngam could elaborate further on

such examples.
His Majesty the King investigates the root causes of each petition. The lecturer once

submitted a petition about a swamp behind Kesinee village that had been inexplicably filled in.
Nobody, including the district officer, could explain what had happened. After 6 months,

the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary sent a letter with explanation: the swamp
had originally been a piece of land (a photocopy of the legal document included), but the owner

dug up the soil to sell, making it a swamp. When land prices rose, the owner filled it back in.
This is a clear example of His Majesty the King serving as a Fountain of Justice for the Thai people,

without question.
Next is the right to pardon. His Majesty the King holds the authority to grant, not only for

those within the justice system and under legal punishments, but also for those facing disciplinary
actions and other kinds of punishments. For instance, during a crisis in which many senior judges

were dismissed, these judges filed petitions with the King. His Majesty King Rama IX acknowledged
their guilt but recognized that they have served honorably for many years. He advised that the

government reconsider the severity of their punishments. Anand Panyarachun, Prime Minister
at that time, then brought this issue back to the cabinet for further review. Ultimately, the senior

judges were reinstated and the crisis was resolved.
The lecturer shared another example of the right to pardon. There was a legal issue

involving two Permanent Secretaries from separate ministries, who were found guilty in relation
to the appointment of civil officers in the Revenue Department. The Office of the National

Anti-Corruption Commission recommended their dismissal, and the two secretaries subsequently
filed petitions. His Majesty King Rama IX acknowledged their guilt but ruled that there was no

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