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1. Principle and Rationale

There is a theoretical and empirically
established relationship between inequality and
quality of democracy. Increasing inequality allows
political power groups to protect their interests,
causing negative effects on democracy and provoking
resistance from the people. Absence of quality
democracy can also result in other types of inequality
and unfairness, such as in laws, government policies, and
mechanisms of national administration, leading to political
conflict.

In the international context, development of stable
democracy is reflected in the rule of law, political participation,
free and fair elections, responsibility to the voice of voters,
freedom of political expression, equality without discrimination, and
responsiveness to the needs of the people. If people in a society
are given rights, opportunities, power, and dignity as democratic
citizens, regardless of political, economic, or social status, this is a
good indicator of quality democracy and should lead to reduction of
inequality in society. At present, inequality is an important issue of
international urgency. The United Nations has designated reducing
inequality as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

For almost 88 years, Thailand has made great efforts to achieve
sustainable democracy and to achieve a quality of society where people can live
together in harmony. These great democratic development efforts include
amendments to the Constitution and various laws to create equality and reduce the
social gaps among groups of people who have not yet received access to basic
rights and national resources. Such efforts have reflected the foundation of
democracy based mainly on good governance. The amendments of the Constitution
are designed to properly balance power by establishing and restructuring
independent organizations while promoting good political culture and strengthening
civil politics through real decentralization. Thailand has enshrined elimination of
disparities and promoting equity in law, under the Constitution’s Sections 257 and
258, and in the fourth strategy of the 20-Year National Strategy.But the effort to
reduce inequality to create a democratic environment has still not been as
successful as it should be, leaving Thailand the great challenge of creating a stable
democracy.