Abstract
This article is to analize the unique pattern of political leadership which came into being in Thailand in October 1958 and was reproduced in an identical pattern in November 1971. In both cases, Thailand was ruled with series of prakaat or edicts proclaimed by the Revolutionary Party (khana-pathiwat), while constitutions and all other democratic devices were abolished.
The rule by Revolutionary Party Edicts, which carries the impression of an atavistic return to the pattern of rule in the period of absolute monarchy, reflects, and is the product of, the unique political climate which prevailed in Thailand after 1957 with Sarit’s emergence. He was responsible for introduction of a style of rule based on paternalism, arbitrariness and elimination of the heterodox, and, to this effect, he needed revival of the traditional pattern of rule by arbitrary legal proclamations. Thanɔɔm followed in the Sarit’s path and proclaimed 364 edicts, while his predecessor produced 57. The legal validity of those Edicts is very problematic. In practice, however, they are considered as having the same legitimacy as ordinary acts (phraraatchabanyat).
In this article, the author tries to present different aspects of political as well as legal functions of the Revolutionary Party Edicts. By doing so, he hopes to clarify some characteristics of the political process which finally led to the fall of the Thanɔɔm’s regime in 1973.
