From Buddhist Constitutionalism to the State Religion The Predominance of Thai Buddhism in the Political Society

Abstract

Thailand has historically maintained a profound and enduring connection with Buddhism, wherein Buddhist principles have long constituted the dominant moral and cultural framework of Thai society for many centuries. Even the nation has undergone significant transformation from the modernization reform of the 19th century to the Democratic Revolution of 1932, Buddhism has still played the enduring role in shaping political legitimacy, national identity, and even legal system. Buddhism was not only linked to the legal system in ancient times, but recent decades, Thai Buddhism has become increasingly intertwined with constitutional practice

          This article is to examine the notion of “Buddhist constitutionalism” within Thai political society, encompassing the influence of Buddhism on the legal framework and political sphere—including the proposal to designate Buddhism as the state religion. Furthermore, it argues that Buddhist values and doctrines have permeated the constitutional context, while simultaneously circumscribing the role of secular values—such as rights, liberties, and social justice—that ought to hold the prominence in the public sphere and political community, especially in the modern democratic state.