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Thailand (Kingdom of Thailand) is a constitutional monarchy, where, throughout history, its society and politics have been largely shaped by religion, the military and the hereditary royal family.
The Thai monarch is the head of state, and the prime minister is the head of government. The judiciary is independent of both the executive and legislative arms of government. The monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, is the symbol of national identity and unity, commanding immense respect and wielding significant moral authority among Thais. He has occasionally intervened to resolve political crises that have threatened to de-stabilise the country.
Thailand has had numerous constitutions throughout its history, with forms of government ranging from military dictatorships to electoral democracies. The country saw significant economic progress during the 1980s as it transformed from an agriculture–based to a more industrialized and services-oriented economy. The Asian financial crisis in the late 1990s hit Thailand hard, however, and it has taken the last decade for the country to emerge from the crisis.
Political turmoil struck in 2005, leading to a bloodless military coup that ousted the elected government in September 2006. The political uncertainty continued into much of 2007, with the military junta establishing an abbreviated interim constitution, banning all political activities and appointing a committee to draft a new constitution, a process that provoked criticism and controversy among the Thai populace. The new constitution was finally approved by referendum in August 2007, paving the way for a return to democratic elections, which took place in December 2007.
Equality between men and women is enshrined in the Thai constitution, and provisions exist to promote non-discrimination between men and women. Policies relating to women have also become a regular part of the political and socio-economic landscape, and Thailand’s efforts to implement CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action have had a visible impact on progress towards gender equality in the country. The country recently established an independent National Human Rights Commission and an Ombudsman as mechanisms to safeguard human rights, a move that has been lauded by the international community.
However, challenges for women remain, fueled by feminized poverty and the prevalence of traditional, discriminatory attitudes towards women. There is a low level of female participation in public life and decision-making processes, particularly in public administration, in the national legislature, local government councils, and in the higher courts of the judicial system. The situation of rural and hill tribe women, as well as Thai Muslim women in the South of the country, is dire – women lack adequate access to nutrition, sanitation, healthcare, education and income-generation activities. The situation in the South has been exacerbated by recent unrest, when a decades-old separatist struggle flared again in 2004.
Citizenship is a major issue for women in the rural and remote areas, especially among ethnic minority groups, who do not speak the official language and lack the capacity to claim their rights. Many ethnic minority women are also subject to discriminatory cultural practices such as early marriage, and despite recent compulsory primary schooling legislation, many girls still do not go to school or are taken out of school early.
While concerted efforts by the government in recent years has led to some progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, prevalence rates among women remain extremely high. The flourishing sex industry in the country is a leading contributor to HIV/AIDS prevalence, and to the persistence of trafficking and exploitation of women and girls. Violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, is a serious problem compounded by impunity for perpetrators, and poor access for victims to immediate redress and protection.
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Thailand