Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (1926)/Part 3
Outline of Preliminary Draft
Article I.
The Supreme Power throughout the Kingdom shall be vested in His Majesty the King.
Article II.
The King shall appoint a Premier who shall be responsible to the King for the entire executive work of the Government. He may be dismissed by the King at any time.
Article III.
The Premier shall appoint and may remove on his own responsibility the Ministers of State at the heads of the various Government Ministries. He shall be responsible to the King for the entire work of each Ministry. He shall also be charged with the duty of carrying out the general Policies of the Government as directed by the King and of co-ordinating for this purpose the work of the Separate Ministries.
Article IV.
Each Government Minister shall be responsible directly to the Premier for the work of his own Ministry. He shall assist in carrying out the general policies directed by the Premier.
Article V.
The Cabinet shall be called together and presided over by the Premier, and shall be composed of all the Ministers of state. It may discuss matters of common interest, but the responsibility for all decisions shall rest with the Premier.
Article VI.
The Premier will refer to the King for decision all questions of large general policy. In all matters he shall be subject to the direct control by the King.
Article VII.
The King shall appoint a Supreme Council of five members. The Premier shall be a member ex officio, but no other Cabinet officer shall be a member. The Supreme council shall exercise no executive power whatsoever. Its function shall consist solely in giving to the King when called upon to do so advice on questions of general policy or on questions other then the detailed executive work of the Government. It shall have no power to advise as to appointments nor as to details of administration. It shall however have the power to interpolate the Premier or any Cabinet officer.
Article VIII.
The King shall appoint and may remove at any time the members of the Privy Council.
Article IX.
Within three days of ascending the throne the heir apparent shall be provisionally chosen by the King with the advice and consent of the Privy Council. The choice shall be limited to sons of a King and a Queen or those of Royal Blood, but shall not be otherwise limited either by rank or seniority. The choice of heir apparent shall not be irrevocable, but shall be freshly made by the King with the advice and consent of the Privy Council at the end of each five year period thereafter. (Note: Or perhaps a period longer than five years may be desired). Should the King die before any choice has been made, the heir apparent shall be chosen immediately after the King's death by the Privy Council. In all cases three quarters of the members of the Privy Council then within the Kingdom shall be necessary to elect.
Article X.
The judicial power, subject to the supreme power of the King, shall be vested in the Supreme or Dike Court and in such inferior Courts as the King may from time to time create.
Article XI.
The supreme legislative power shall rest in the King.
Article XII.
Change in this fundamental law may be made only by the King with the advice and consent of three quarters of the member of the Privy council.