Bangkok – A majority of Thai voters signaled their desire for constitutional change in a February 8th referendum held alongside general elections, with approximately 59.77% voting in favor of drafting a new constitution, according to official results. Nearly 20 million citizens backed the move, a clear indication of widespread dissatisfaction with the current charter. However, the path toward a revised constitution remains fraught with obstacles and the political will to enact substantial reform appears limited within the newly formed government.
Thailand’s current constitution, promulgated in 2017, was drafted in the wake of the 2014 military coup. It is the country’s twentieth constitution since the abolition of absolute monarchy in 1932, as reported by the BBC. Critics argue the current charter was deliberately designed to solidify the power of the military and conservative establishment, weakening political parties and granting significant authority to the courts and independent agencies.
The process of amending Thailand’s constitution is notoriously complex. Beyond requiring a parliamentary majority, any changes must too secure the support of at least one-third of the Senate – a body often seen as aligned with the establishment. Further complicating matters, rulings by the Constitutional Court in 2021 and 2025 have mandated a series of three referendums: one to initiate the process, another to approve the drafting of a new constitution, and a final one to ratify the completed document. These procedural hurdles have historically stymied reform efforts.
A History of Failed Attempts
Between 2020 and 2022, there were 26 attempts to amend or rewrite the constitution, but only one succeeded – a 2021 amendment altering the electoral system, which passed with the support of the then-ruling party, according to data from iLaw, a legal monitoring organization. Further attempts in February and between October and December of 2025 also failed to gain traction. This pattern demonstrates that constitutional changes in Thailand typically occur only when they align with the interests of the governing establishment.
Prior to the recent general election, the Bhumjaithai Party, during coalition negotiations in September 2025, entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the People’s Party, pledging to advance a constitutional referendum. However, an attempt to streamline the referendum process by removing the Senate’s veto power collapsed in December 2025. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul subsequently dissolved Parliament and called for new elections, ultimately leading to the February referendum.
Strategic Support and Red Lines
Even as most major parties publicly endorsed a “Yes” vote in the referendum, their motivations and levels of commitment varied. The People’s Party championed the referendum as a crucial step toward dismantling the legacy of the 2014 coup and initiating comprehensive reform. Bhumjaithai, Pheu Thai, and the Democrat Party also expressed support, but with clear limitations: Sections 1 (General Provisions) and 2 (the Monarchy) were explicitly stated as being off-limits for revision. In contrast, conservative parties like Thai Pakdee, Rak Chart, and the United Thai Nation Party strongly opposed constitutional change, arguing it was unnecessary and potentially destabilizing, as reported by the Bangkok Post.
Economic Priorities and Limited Political Will
Despite the referendum’s outcome, meaningful reform faces significant headwinds. The vote itself was non-binding, and the path forward remains uncertain. A draft amendment that failed to pass before the recent parliamentary dissolution could be reintroduced within 60 days of the new session, but a new draft would be required otherwise.
Following the general election, Bhumjaithai emerged as the largest party with 192 seats and is poised to lead a conservative coalition government. However, analysts suggest the party’s support for the referendum was largely strategic, a response to public sentiment rather than a deeply held commitment to constitutional overhaul. As one source within the government, speaking on background, stated, “The government’s priority is to address economic problems, not to embark on contentious constitutional restructuring.”
The “Blue Senate” and the Status Quo
A key factor hindering reform is Bhumjaithai’s growing alignment with conservative and establishment interests. The party now exerts significant influence over the Senate, often referred to as the “Blue Senate” due to its perceived pro-establishment leanings, according to The Nation Thailand. Control of the upper house provides long-term institutional advantages, including appointments to independent agencies and the power to veto constitutional amendments. This consolidation of power suggests a broader trend toward preserving the existing political order.
Bhumjaithai is expected to prioritize economic measures aimed at stimulating growth and addressing the concerns of grassroots constituencies. By focusing on economic recovery and cost-of-living issues, the party can effectively sideline the debate over constitutional reform, framing it as a secondary concern.
The constitutional referendum represents an initial step toward potential reform in Thailand. However, the road ahead is complex, marked by procedural obstacles, limited political will, and a strong inclination among key actors to maintain the status quo. Meaningful constitutional change appears unlikely in the near term.
The next key development will be the convening of the new Parliament and the formation of committees to consider potential constitutional amendments. The timeline for any substantive action remains unclear, but observers will be closely watching Bhumjaithai’s actions to gauge its genuine commitment to reform.
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