The role of the Ombudsman and the opinion of the treaty according to Section 178 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560

Authors

  • Sayamol Kaiyoorawong Miss

Abstract

The Ombudsman has its duties and powers under Sections 230 and 231 of the 2017 Constitution in providing opinions pertaining to cases of a treaty under Section 178 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560. The Ombudsman can either exercise its power on complaint or bring up for consideration by itself and then can provide guidelines for practice on such matters. Issues of consideration and opinion are as follows: (1) Government agencies propose to the Cabinet to ratify treaties that Thailand has signed, to access or to accept the said treaties that obliges Thai people. (2) The enactment of Acts that cause Injustice  to people or to the public. (3) State agencies have an opinion that such treaty does not fall within the scope of Section 178, paragraph two and three of the Constitution. Nonetheless, the public argues that it does fall within the scope of this Section. Consequently, this must be processed in accordance with the procedures of the treaty pursuant to the resolution of the Cabinet and allow people to participate in giving opinions. In this case, the Ombudsman may propose to the Administrative Court for consideration since that act is unconstitutional. (4) Government agencies’ actions do not comply with the procedures of the constitutional practice guidelines or  the cabinet resolution. Further, these actions do not allow people to participate in the public hearing and people do not receive the necessary remedies resulting from the effects of the concluded treaties. Suggestion to the signatory treaties under Section 178 of the Thai Constitution by the Ombudsman can protect the rights of citizens and eliminate the suffering of the people which is beneficial to the country and affected people. As the said international agreement is not only binding on the Thai people but also on economics, society and international politics.

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Published

29.06.2020

How to Cite

Kaiyoorawong, S. (2020). The role of the Ombudsman and the opinion of the treaty according to Section 178 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand B.E. 2560. Journal of Thai Ombudsman, 13(1), 59–90. Retrieved from https://so04.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ombudsman/article/view/239451

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Section

Academic Article