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Section 17. In the case where the King does not appoint a Regent under
section 16 or is unable to appoint a Regent owing to His not being sui juris or any other
reason, but the Privy Council is of the opinion that it is necessary to appoint a Regent and is
unable to inform the King to make an appointment in due course, the Privy Council shall
propose the name of one person or several persons forming a council sequentially from
those determined in advance by the King to be Regent and notify the President of the
National Assembly to make an announcement, in the name of the King, to appoint such
person as Regent.
Section 18. While there is no Regent under section 17, the President of the
Privy Council shall be Regent pro tempore.
In the case where the Regent appointed under section 16 or section 17 is
unable to perform his or her duties, the President of the Privy Council shall act as Regent
pro tempore.
While being Regent under paragraph one or acting as Regent under paragraph
two, the President of the Privy Council shall not perform his or her duties as President of the
Privy Council. In such case, the Privy Council shall elect one Privy Councillor to act as
President of the Privy Council pro tempore.
Section 19. Before taking office, the Regent appointed under section 16 or
section 17 shall make a solemn declaration before the National Assembly in the following
words:
“ I, (name of the declarer), do solemnly declare that I will be loyal to His
Majesty the King (name of the King) and will faithfully perform duties in the interests of the
country and the people. I will also uphold and observe the Constitution of the Kingdom of
Thailand in every respect.”
A Regent who has previously been appointed and made the solemn
declaration need not make the solemn declaration again.
Section 20. Subject to section 21, the succession to the Throne shall be in
accordance with the Palace Law on Succession, B.E. 2467 (1924).
An amendment to the Palace Law on Succession, B. E. 2467 ( 1924) shall
specifically be the Royal Prerogative of the King. At the initiative of the King, the Privy
Council shall prepare the draft Palace Law Amendment to the existing Palace Law and shall
present it to the King for His consideration. When the King has already approved the draft
Palace Law Amendment and bestowed His signature thereon, the President of the Privy
Council shall notify the President of the National Assembly who shall inform the National
Assembly. The President of the National Assembly shall countersign the Royal Command.