Constitution and Development Plan

Comparison
Philippines and Thailand
 Science and technology in Philippine and
Thailand’s Constitutions.
Philippines
1987 Philippine Constitution
• Article XII (Section 17)
• Article XIII (Sections 5 & 7)
• Article XIV( Sections 10 , 11 , 12, 13)
Thailand
Constitution of the Kingdom of
Thailand 2007
• Chapter V (Part 2, Section 77 &
Part 9 , Section 86)
Constitution of the Kingdom of
Thailand 2017
• Chapter VI (Section 69)
• Chapter XVI (Section 258, d & e)
COMPARISON
Science and technology is recognized to have great importance for the country and is
an integral factor for economic growth of any country like Philippines in which is part of
the country’s constitution. Sections 10 to 13 of Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution
encompasses all the laws referring the development of science and technology in the
country. The Philippine constitution has been revised 6 time s from its independence in
1898 namely The 1899 Malolos Constitution (1899-1901), The 1935 Constitution
(1935-1943, 1945-1973), The 1943 Constitution (1943-1945), The 1973 Constitution
(1973-1986) and The 1987 Constitution (1987-present) as cited by Gavilan in her Article
in 2018 (See table 1 below). On the other hand, Thailand according to Holmes in 2017
has 20 revisions of its constitution. The 20th and latest constitution was signed on April
6 2017 by the new king of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn. Based on the 2017
Constitution, the country’s law referring to it science and technology is reflected in
Chapter 6: Section 69 and Chapter 16: Section 258.
Table 1. 20 Revisions of Thailand's Constitution
1. Temporary Charter for the Administration of Siam Act 1932 11. Constitution for Administration of the Kingdom 1976

1. Constitution of the Kingdom of Siam 1932 12. Charter for Administration of the Kingdom 1977

1. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1946 13. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1978

1. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) 1947 14. Charter for Administration of the Kingdom 1991

5. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1949 14. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1991

5. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1932 (Revised 1952) 14. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1997

5. Charter for the Administration of the Kingdom 1959 14. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) 2006

5. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 1968 14. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2007

5. Interim Charter for Administration of the Kingdom 1972 14. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim) 2014

5. Constitution for the Administration of the Kingdom 1974 14. Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand 2017
Based on the Constitutions of the two countries selected, it can be observed that
both have recognized the importance of the science and technology and its
contribution to economic growth and progress as well as protection of their
respective countries. Both have laws promoting the research and development and
adaption and transfer of technological advancements. However, role as well as ruling
regarding the country’s S & T is more elaborated in the Philippine constitution as
compared to Thailand such as its importance to farmers, fisherfolks and local
communities, provision of scholarship grants and incentive to worthy science
students, researchers, scientists, inventors, technologists, and specially gifted
citizens. Moreover, protection of technological innovations is also given much
importance like intellectual property rights and patents as it was also part of the
Philippine constitution which is not mentioned in Thailand’s 2017 Constitution but
was mentioned on its 2007 Constitution. Thailand’s 2007 constitution has
emphasized more its significance and provided more distinct S & T Policy.
Sources:

Constitution of Thailand (2018, September 170. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/

wiki/ Constitution_of_Thailand

ConstituteProject.org, (2018, January 17). Thailand's Constitution of 2007. Retrieved from

https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Thailand_2007.pdf

ConstituteProject.org, (2018, July 31). Thailand's Constitution of 2017. Retrieved from

https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Thailand_2017.pdf?lang=en

CHAN ROBLES VIRTUAL LAW LIBRARY, (n.d). 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. Retrieved
from http://www.chanrobles.com/article14sciencetech.htm#.W6ixumgzbIV

Gavilan, J., (2018 , February 1, 2018).FAST FACTS: 1987 Philippine Constitution. Retrieved from
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/121019-fast-facts-1987-philippine-constitution