This book presents an account of how the rule of law in Thailand has developed through history as well as how it is perceived by different segments of society.

It is the first volume on Thailand's rule of law written in English by Thai scholars having first-hand experience in its development in the past three decades.

To outsiders, the nature and operation of the rule of law in Thailand expose an array of ambivalences and paradoxes. Despite being one of the first Asian countries to adopt a constitutional democracy, democratisation remains a far-off dream. Though having consistently proclaimed itself to be a staunch advocate of democracy and human rights, the Kingdom has been rife and stifled with military coups, massacres, and pervasive corruption. The story becomes even more complex with regard to the status of its monarchy. Against the practice of royally-endorsed coups, the Thai King is however praised as the sinew of rule-of-law development.
Between the struggle of a progressive, pro-democracy movement and the royalist-conservative alliance, 'Rule of Law' becomes a buzzword around which both parties contest. In addition to its perplexing image, an attempt to understand Thailand's rule of law is further crippled by language barrier, with neologisms competing for selection – nitirath and nititham.

Rawin Leelapatana is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Law, Faculty of Law, Thammasat University.
Khemthong Tonsakulrungruang is Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand.