Democracy Day in Thailand

Democracy Day is celebrated on October 14 to commemorate the October 14, 1973 uprising. Adopted August 26, 2003.

Since becoming a Western-style constitutional democratic monarchy in 1932, most of the time the country has been ruled by military governments. The disputes and struggles among the elites old and new, civilians, politicians, and military have occurred regularly since 1932. Freedom of speech was guaranteed in the 1997 Constitution of Thailand. December 10, is celebrated annually as Constitution Day across Thailand and is a public holiday.

At Bangkok’s Democracy Monument, located on Ratchadamnoen Avenue, a representation of the 1932 constitution sits on two golden offering bowls atop a turret as part of the monument, and is guarded by four wing-like structures intended to represent the four branches of Thailand’s armed forces – the army, navy, air force and police – which had a part in carrying out the 1932 revolution.