 | ||
In Thailand, the regent (Thai: ผู้สำเร็จราชการแทนพระองค์) is a person who exercises the official functions of a monarch of Thailand when the monarch is incapable of functioning or during a period of interregnum.
Contents
Appointment
According to the constitution of Thailand 2007, there will be a regent when the monarch is unable to function or when there is no monarch.
Incapacity of monarch
In pursuance of the 2007 constitution, if the monarch is to leave the country or is unable to perform his duties for whatever reason, he can appoint any specific person as his regent and the president of the National Assembly of Thailand will countersign the appointment.
But if the monarch does not appoint any regent or cannot make the appointment due to his minority or for any other reason, the Privy Council of Thailand will nominate an appropriate person to the National Assembly. Once approved by the National Assembly, the president of the National Assembly will, in the name of the monarch, appoint that person as the regent.
Until a regent is appointed by the monarch or the National Assembly, the president of the Privy Council will serve as the regent ad interim.
The constitution also requires an appointed regent to take the following oath of office amongst the National Assembly before assuming office:
Interregnum
In accordance with the 2007 constitution, when the throne becomes vacant, the president of the Privy Council of Thailand will act as the regent ad interim until a monarch is installed.
But if the vacancy takes place when there was already a regent, appointed by the previous monarch or the National Assembly due to the monarch's incapacity, that regent will continue to function until a monarch is enthroned. If the appointed regent is unable to function, the president of the Privy Council will also serve as the regent ad interim.
Flag
The regent is given a official flag by the Flag Act 1979. It is a white square flag with a shield of the national flag at the centre, topped by the mythological bird garuda, which is the national emblem of Thailand.