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The International Journal of the Royal Society of Thailand

Volume XVI-2024 (Special Issue)

malicious intention, and given their previous dedicated service, they did not deserve to be

dismissed. The Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary submitted His Majesty the
King’s decision to the Secretariat of the Cabinet and Abhisit Vejjajiva, Prime Minister at that time,

who countersigned in response to the Royal command, prompting the correction of the issue.
The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Culture then consulted the Council of State,

which affirm that the issue had already received the Royal decision for a pardon, with the Prime
Minister’s countersignature validating the Royal command. As a result, the two ministries were

instructed to cancel the dismissals and reinstate the two Permanent Secretaries. The above
example of the right to pardon aligns with a passage in William Shakespears’s “the Merchant of

Venice (1600)” translated in Thai by His Majesty King Rama VI in 1916.

“The quality of mercy is not strained;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath.”

“อัันความกรุุณาปรุานี จะมีใครุบัังคับัก็หาไม่

หลั่ั�งมาเอังเหมือันฝนอัันชื่ื�นใจ จากฟากฟ้าสุุรุาลั่ัยสุ่่แดนดิน”

The right to pardon on discipline issue has another example that occurred at

Phramongkutklao College of Medicine. A medical student was accused of stealing a mobile
phone, and the school decided to expel him. The student then filed a petition. His Majesty

the King directed the Privy Councilor who once was the President of the Supreme Court to
investigate the case. It was revealed that the incident had been a case of bullying, not theft.

The Royal decision in response allowed the student a year to prove his behavior during
internship. Over that period, the student demonstrated good conduct and became a good intern,

ultimately graduating as a physician. This is a clear example of the King exercising the right to
pardon, even in the disciplinary matters.

The final topic is the right to teach. The Thai Monarch has been educating the people
of Thailand throughout history. His Royal speeches have been given in varied occasions since

the reign of King Rama IV to the present day. Whatever His Majesty the King says, he practices
as such–yathavadi tathakari. Whatever he practices, he says as such–tathakari yathavadi.

It is unfortunate that some people suggest the government should review the King’s speech
before he addresses the public, a practice common in Western countries with the constitutional

monarchies. Such requests failed to recognize the century-old tradition of governance that has
shaped Thailand.

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