National Legislative Assembly of Thailand (2014)

The National Legislative Assembly of Thailand (2014), or NLA, was an appointed body that served as the unicameral legislative branch of Thailand following the 2014 Thai coup d'état. It was established under the interim constitution promulgated by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), the military junta that seized power.

The NLA consisted of approximately 200 members, selected by the NCPO, primarily from the military, civil service, business, and academia. Its main function was to draft and enact legislation, approve the national budget, and scrutinize the performance of the government appointed by the NCPO.

A key responsibility of the NLA was drafting a new constitution for Thailand. This process was complex and controversial, involving multiple drafts and public consultations. The constitution ultimately approved in a 2016 referendum significantly enhanced the power of the military.

The NLA was criticized by some for lacking democratic legitimacy due to its appointed nature and its close ties to the military. Critics argued that it served to legitimize the military's rule and limit public participation in governance. Supporters maintained that it was necessary to restore stability and order after a period of political turmoil.

The NLA was dissolved following the 2019 Thai general election and the subsequent formation of a new parliament. The elected parliament took over legislative functions, marking a transition back towards a civilian-led government, though the influence of the military remained significant.