Built in the early 1950s, the Democracy Monument is to commemorate the birth of democracy in Thailand. Thai democracy has seen many ups and downs since the country become a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Significant events includes bloody pro-democracy protests, plots to stage coup d'etats and recently with the adoption of a new constitution. Democratic reform is a countinous process which intends to develop a more open, transparent and accountable system of governance, to ensure that basic democratic principles such as human rights are protected. Despite its much criticised judicial system, Thailand is among the most progressive in Asia at democratic reform (with the likes of South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines). We have a free press, fair electiotion (you may still get a free T-shirt and 500baht at the ballot box in the provinces though).
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