Thailand: Troops with a light tank on the streets of Bangkok after the democratic revolution or coup of 1932

Before 1932, the Kingdom of Siam did not possess a legislature, as all legislative powers were vested in the person of the monarch. This has been the case since the foundation of the Sukhothai Kingdom in the 12th century, as the king was seen as a 'Dharmaraja' or King who rules in accordance with the Buddhist law of righteousness. However on 24 June 1932 a group of civilians and military officers, calling themselves the Khana Ratsadon (or People's Party) carried out a bloodless revolution, in which 150 years of absolute rule of the House of Chakri was ended. In its stead the group advocated a constitutional form of monarchy with an elected legislature.

The Draft Constitution of 1932 signed by King Prajadhipok, created Thailand's first legislature, a People's Assembly with 70 appointed members. The assembly met for the first time on 28 June 1932, in the Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall. The Khana Ratsadon decided that the people were not yet ready for an elected assembly; however they later changed their minds. By the time the 'permanent' constitution came into force in December of that year, elections were scheduled for 15 November 1933.

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