Damrong Rajanubhab

Name: Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok
Author: Damrong Rajanubhab

Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

Summary

“Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok”, published in 2002, is a work by Damrong Rajanubhab. It explores elements such as Siam, innovation and memorandum.

Quotes from Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (Damrong Rajanubhab)

Damrong Rajanubhab, Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

“ The fact that the King has appointed another person, whom they do not respect as much as the King himself, to govern the country in his stead, will most naturally make them ask, Why? Is it because the King does not care to do the work as a King should do, or that the Supreme Council, seeing that the King is too weak to rule, persuaded him to appoint a Prime Minister? In either case the authority and the prestige of the King would suffer in the eyes of the people. The innovation may be applaused by some Westernized Siamese, but how many are they comparing with the whole people of Siam? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Damrong Rajanubhab, Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

“ If the King wants to dismiss a Prime Minister, he would have to find convincing reason for so doing, but in the absence of parliament who is to furnish the convincing reason that protects H.M.’s decision from being considered unjust and arbitrary? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Damrong Rajanubhab, Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

“ But the fact that mischievous accusations are capable of being made against a Council of five persons (perhaps I may be allowed to call of high repute) is enough to make one realise what difficulties a Prime Minister alone would have to face against all sorts of intrigue, while on the other hand he is being held responsible for the good administration of the country. Here one discerns the necessity which may arise that a Prime Minister would be obliged to resort to strategems, good or bad in order to keep his position or otherwise throw up his appointment altogether. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Damrong Rajanubhab, Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

“ My impression is that a Prime Minister is indispensible in parliamentary government, but in a country where absolute monarchy prevails such as, for example, Russia, Turkey, and Persia, the system did not seem to do much good without a strong monarch, nor indeed able to safe a weak monarch from his ruin. But I repeat again that I do not consider myself competent to judge matters of European nature, so I will confine my comment entirely to what I think would effect Siam and the Siamese. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Damrong Rajanubhab, Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

“ It is indeed proposed that the Prime Minister should have the power of removal and selection of ministers. But such powers have always been considered to belong to the king alone, and considered to be the mainstay against personal intrigue of others. It will be a great difference between the King exercising those powers in the S.C.S., and permitting the Prime Minister to exercise them with his approval. If the King's own backstair is considered obnoxious, what would it be to have another one of the Prime Minister? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Damrong Rajanubhab, Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

“ Even if the innovation is introduced I doubt whether it can accomplish more rapidly, not to say, or better. I am an old man and may be considered naturally conservative, but with sincere conviction I beg leave to ask that what fault or drawback the present system has shown, so as to endanger the safety or retard the progress of Siam, if it is allowed to continue? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Damrong Rajanubhab, Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

“ Those who applause and willing to support the innovation, either by conviction, or by allowing loyalty to the King to override their conviction, and those who applause because they expect personal benefit from it. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Damrong Rajanubhab, Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (2002)

“ That is why even without constant changes of the minister it is difficult to find a real competent man as head of a ministerial department. If a ministerial post becomes unpermanent before a thorough organisation is made in the ministries in the same way as in European countries, I am afraid local discipline will also break down, and because in stead of looking to one chief all the time, speculation as to a coming chief would constantly arise. ”

Damrong Rajanubhab

Summary

Quotes from Draft Constitution of King Prajadhipok (Damrong Rajanubhab)

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