Thailand is a unitary state situated in southeast Asia and comprises of 76 islands. With over 68 million inhabitants, it is the 21st most populous country in the world. Bangkok is a special administrative area, and the capital city, it is also the largest city in the country. Although Thailand is known as a  constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, a recent 2014 coup established a de facto dictatorship in the country.

In 1511, European migration in the form of Portuguese diplomats on a mission trip entered Thailand, then known as Siam. Siam became a constitutional monarchy following the revolution in 1932, when it officially changed its name to Thailand. The country joined the Allies in WWI, however joined the Axis satellite in World War II. The country also became a major US ally in the fight to end anti-communist rule in the region.

Thailand is a founding member of ASEAN. It is considered a regional power in Asia, with the second largest economy in southeast Asia. The country is a newly industrialized economy, with agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing as the three primary sources of income in the country.

The country’s politics operate under a constitutional monarchy where the Prime Minister is head of government and a hereditary monarch is head of state. Although the judiciary is supposed to be independent of executive and legislative branches, many believe the system is based on political considerations rather than on existing law.

The legal system is a civil law system in Thailand. There are no jury trials and a single judge decides charges in misdemeanor hearings. In more serious cases, two or more judges decide. There are three court levels. The Supreme Court is the highest level. The court of Appeals is below it, and court of First Instance is the lowest level court. The country has courts of justice, appeal courts, military courts, civil, and criminal courts.

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