“A person shall have the right to present a petition and to be informed of the result of its consideration within the appropriate time, as provided by law(14).”

Section 59 of the Constitution goes further:

“A person shall have the right to receive information, explanation and reason from a State agency, State enterprise or local government organisation before permission is given for the operation of any project or activity which may affect the quality of the environment, health and sanitary conditions, the quality of life or any other material interest concerning him or her or a local community and shall have the right to express his or her opinions on such matters in accordance with the public hearing procedure, as provided by law(15).”

There is no such law enacted by Thai legislature. However, the Council of State (the highest advisory body in Thai governmental structure(16) ) has now prepared a draft law on public hearing. It has received a praise of foreign legal experts(17). A brief discussion of the draft is given by Chaiwat Wongwattanasan, Secretary General of the Council of State at his article Key Principles for Draft Public Consultation Act (Main Points(18)).