Assoc Prof Jade Donavanik, an outspoken legal expert, has ignited public anger by suggesting that Thailand should “dump democracy” if the current political system does not serve the country and its people.
An adviser to the post-coup assembly that drafted the current Constitution in force since 2017, Jade denied that he was calling for a fresh putsch, saying he “never agreed with” military takeovers.
However, he criticised Thailand’s current democratic system as an oligarchy founded on the blueprint laid out by leaders of the 1932 Siamese Revolution that ended absolute monarchy.
‘Dump bad democracy’
“If democracy is bad, let’s abandon it and adopt what truly works for Thailand. For me, the ideology of the Khana Ratsadon [revolutionary leaders] should be dropped because it was an oligarchy from the very beginning.
Today, we must introduce a democracy that genuinely suits our nation,” the academic said on May 17.
His remarks come at a time of transition and turmoil in Thai politics, marked by an uneasy marriage of ideologically opposed parties, a Senate election marred by fraud allegations, and growing tension between the ruling coalition’s largest partners – Pheu Thai and Bhumjaithai.
Jade, 53, also noted that as many as 600 lawmakers – including Cabinet members, government MPs and senators – are threatened with removal from office over alleged constitutional breaches.
He was referring to a petition lodged with the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) last month seeking an investigation of whether lawmakers had violated the charter by voting for the 2025 Budget Bill.
The bill, put forward by former PM Srettha Thavisin’s Cabinet, called for 35 billion baht reserved for repayment of state-run bank debts to be diverted to fund the government’s 10,000-baht cash handout scheme.
The petitioners, including Jade, asked the NACC to refer the case to the Constitutional Court, where a guilty verdict would result in 10-year political bans for the accused.
The charter prohibits changes to funds allocated for the repayment of government debts.
The legal fallout could also engulf members of the current Cabinet, under PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, since they are implementing the handout scheme initiated under Srettha.
Under fire
Jade has come under heavy fire for his proposal to ditch democracy, with critics branding him a hardcore royalist and enemy of democratic principles.
His opponents accuse him of becoming disillusioned with democracy only after “the side he favours and the path he wants” suffered repeated defeats in elections.
Political activist Sombat Bunngam-anong countered that while every political system has flaws, democracy itself is not the problem.
“Democracy has proved to be the best option. If you don’t want it, then let us know what system you prefer,” he said.
In late January, Jade was accused of sedition in a petition lodged by lawyer Chatchanai Panphet with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) over his remarks attacking democracy.
Earlier that month, Jade had blamed former junta leader General Prayut Chan-o-cha for allowing ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to Thailand in August 2023 after 15 years in self-exile. He said Thaksin’s return had led to a series of “bad things” in Thai politics.
A legal expert
Born in Chiang Mai, Jade earned a law degree from Thammasat University in 1995, before obtaining a master’s and a doctorate in law from Stanford University in the United States.
He is widely regarded as a top legal expert, having taught law at several universities and served as a legal consultant and independent director for numerous companies.
He also chairs the Zoological Park Organisation of Thailand and sits on the board of various private businesses and state enterprises, including the Provincial Electricity Authority, Bioscience Animal Health Plc, and Sahamitr Pressure Container Plc.
Jade also oversees Siam University’s Graduate School of Law, as well as law faculties at Dhurakij Pundit University and the College of Asian Scholars.
In addition, he serves as law lecturer at Mahidol, Thammasat, Chulalongkorn and Krirk universities.
He is often sought by media outlets for his opinion on legal controversies due to his reputation as a knowledgeable and insightful analyst.
Post-coup roles
Jade entered politics in 2006, when he was appointed to the National Legislative Council after the military ousted Thaksin’s government in September.
In 2014, he was appointed as adviser to the Constitution Drafting Assembly tasked with writing a new charter to replace the one abolished after the ouster of the government led by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in May that year.
During that time, Jade was also appointed to the National Reform Committee set up by General Prayut’s post-coup government.
Jade’s many appointments by coup-installed regimes have fuelled suspicions that he favours military rule over democratic governance in Thailand.
