ABSTRACT
Since 2006, the Constitution Court has invalidated two elections, dissolved six political parties, and banned multiple party members from political life in its bid to uphold fair and honest elections. But judicial review in Thailand appears to be attempts by the Court to eliminate allies of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and to tilt the political balance in favour of the elite minority in Thailand. These decisions have led to political deadlocks and two coup d’états. Thus, instead of promoting democracy and the rule of law, the judiciary has deepened the conflict and has obstructed the democratic process. This chapter reviews the expansion of judicial review power as well as its contribution to the ongoing constitutional crisis.
