Right and Liberty in the Mist of Karma: Secular Values in Thai Constitutional Context and their Tension with Buddhist Doctrines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/ajac.2026.79Keywords:
Secularization, Secular values, Thai Buddhism, Buddhist Doctrines, The Constitutions of the Kingdom of ThailandAbstract
Thailand is known for its long association with Buddhism. In the past, Buddhist doctrines might be the most significant values which dominated Thai society for centuries Despite experiencing the modernization and the secularization during the reign of King Rama IV- VI, Thai Buddhism did not essentially lose its influence over society. However, secular values gradually took root in the Thai socio-political sphere through the processes of modernization and secularization. Following the Democratic Revolution in 1932, these values were formally introduced as part of the new regime. Core secular principles, especially rights and liberties, have been endorsed in the Constitutions of the Kingdom of Thailand since 1932. Nevertheless, the development of secular values in Thailand have faced significant constraints, including political norms, legal interpretations, and the dominance of Buddhist value. In particular, Theravāda Buddhism has dominated other belief systems and Buddhist morality has an impact on constitutional practice. As a result, the tension between secular and Buddhist values will be considered through the perspective of constitutional development in Thailand. This article aims to explore the development of secular values within the framework of Thai constitutions and examine how these values have come into tension with Buddhism in the context of Thai political society. Furthermore, it argues that the concepts of karma and Buddhist moralities in the Thai Buddhist framework have repeatedly been used to justify both social injustice and inequality in Thai society.
Highlights
- The study explores the development of secular values within the framework of Thai constitutions and examine how these values have come into tension with Buddhism in the context of Thai political society.
- The coexistence of secular and Buddhist values create persistent tensions, especially where rights and liberty might conflict with Buddhist doctrine.
- A sustainable balance depends on reaffirming the universal basis of rights and liberties without utilizing the enduring role of Buddhism in shaping the moral practice of Thai society.
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