Thailand Law Library

by Thailand Lawyer

The Prime Minister shall present the bill or Organic Law bill approved by the National Legislative Assembly to the King for His signature within twenty days as from the date of receiving such bill from the National Legislative Assembly and the bill shall come into force as an Act or Organic Act upon its publication in the Government Gazette.

If the King refuses His assent to the bill or Organic Law bill either returns it to the National Legislative Assembly or does not return it within ninety days, the National Legislative Assembly must reconsider such bill. If the National Legislative Assembly resolves to reaffirm the bill by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of existing members, the Prime Minister shall present such bill to the King for His signature once again. If the King does not sign and return the bill within thirty days, the prime Minister shall cause the bill to be promulgated as an Act or Organic Act in the Government Gazette as if the King had signed it.

At a meeting of the National Legislative Assembly, every member shall have the rights to interpellate a Minister on any matter under his authority, but the Minister shall have the right to refuse a reply if he is of opinion that the matter should not be disclosed yet on the ground of safety or vital interest of the State or that interpellation is prohibited by the rule of the National Legislative Assembly. The quorum of the National Legislative Assembly in this case may be different from the quorum as prescribed by section 13 paragraph one if so prescribed by the rule on meeting.

If there is a matter which involves an important problem, not less than one-third of the total number of the members of the National Legislative Assembly may submit a motion for general debate with the Council of Ministers, but the vote of confidence or no-confidence shall not be made.

In the case where there is an important problem in the administration of State affairs in regard which the Council of Ministers deems it advisable to take opinions from members of the National Legislative Assembly, the Prime Minister may give a notice to the President of the National Legislative Assembly requesting that a general debate be held at a sitting of the National Legislative Assembly. In this case, no resolution shall be passed by the National Legislative Assembly on the issue put in the debate.

At a sitting of the National Legislative Assembly, words expressed in giving statements of fact or opinions, or the casting of votes by any member, are absolute privileged. No charge or action in any manner whatsoever shall be brought against such member.

The privilege under paragraph one extends to all Committees of the National Legislative Assembly, the printers and publishers of the minutes of the sitting upon the order of the National Legislative Assembly or its Committees, the persons permitted by the presiding member to give statements of fact or opinions at the sitting as well as the persons who broadcast the sitting through radio, television or other means with the permission of the President of the National Legislative Assembly. But this privilege does not extend to a member of the National Legislative Assemble who expresses words at a sitting which is broadcasted through radio, television or other means if such words appear out of the precinct of the National Legislative Assembly and constitute a criminal offence or a wrongful act against any other person who is not a Minister or a member of the National Legislative Assembly.

In the case where a member of the National Legislative Assembly is retained or detained, such member shall be released upon request of the President of the National Legislative Assembly. In the case where a criminal charge is brought against a member of the National Legislative Assembly, the Court shall try the case as usual unless the President of the National Legislative Assembly requests for the suspension of that trial.