Legal system: based on civil law system, with influences of common law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; martial law in effect since 23 February 1991 military coup
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: King PHUMIPHON Adunyadet (since 9 June 1946) is a
constitutional monarch; Heir Apparent Crown Prince WACHIRALONGKON
(born 28 July 1952)
head of government: Prime Minister BANHAN Sinlapa-acha (since 13
July 1995); prime minister must be appointed from among the members
of the House of Representatives
cabinet: Council of Ministers
Privy Council: NA
Legislative branch: bicameral National Assembly (Rathasapha) Senate (Wuthisapha): consists of a 270-member appointed body House of Representatives (Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon): elections last held 2 July 1995 (next to be held 2 July 1999); results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (391 total) TNP 93, DP 86, NAP 56, NDP 53, PDP 23, SAP 23, NTP 18, TCP 18, LDP 10, SP 8, MP 3
Judicial branch: Supreme Court (Sandika), judges appointed by the
king
Political parties and leaders: Thai Nation Party (TNP or Chat Thai
Party), BANHAN Sinlapa-acha; Democratic Party (DP or Prachathipat
Party), CHUAN Likphai; New Aspiration Party (NAP or Khwamwang Mai),
Gen. CHAWALIT Yongchaiyut; National Development Party (NDP or Chat
Phattana), CHATCHAI Chunhawan; Phalang Dharma Party (PDP or Phalang
Tham), THAKSIN Chinnawat; Social Action Party (SAP or Kitsangkhom
Party), MONTRI Phongphanit; Thai Leadership Party (NTP or Nam Thai),
Amnuai Wirawan; Thai Citizen's Party (TCP or Prachakon Thai), SAMAK
Sunthonwet; Liberal Democratic Party (LDP or Seri Tham), ATHIT
Urairat; Solidarity Party (SP or Ekkaphap Party), UTHAI
Phimchaichon; Mass Party (MP or Muanchon), Pol. Cpt. CHALOEM
Yubamrung
International organization participation: APEC, AsDB, ASEAN, CCC,
CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC,
IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, Mekong
Group, NAM, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU,
WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic representation in US: chief of mission: Ambassador NIT Phibunsongkhram chancery: 1024 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 944-3600 FAX: [1] (202) 944-3611 consulate(s) general: Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York
US diplomatic representation: chief of mission: Ambassador William H. ITOH embassy: 95 Wireless Road, Bangkok mailing address: APO AP 96546 telephone: [66] (2) 252-5040 FAX: [66] (2) 254-2990 consulate(s) general: Chiang Mai consulate(s): Udorn
Flag: five horizontal bands of red (top), white, blue (double
width), white, and red