Faculty of Law, Thammasat University 5.29

The Faculty of Law, Thammasat University is an administrative agency of the Thai Government, being an academic faculty attached to Thammasat University, Ministry of Education. It is the second oldest university faculty in the country, preceded only by the Faculty of Medicine, Mahidol University. Also, it has long played a major role in the politics of Thailand and among its graduates counts many former prime ministers, ministers, senior government officers, judges, including Presidents of the Supreme Court of Justice, and other public figures.HistoryThammasat University's Faculty of Law dates from the initiation of the Law School in 1907 by Prince Raphi Phatthanasak, Prince of Ratchaburi, the western-educated Minister of Justice and a son of King Chulalongkorn. Classes were originally conducted at the luncheon lobby of the Prince's palace; he would give lectures there every afternoon. The Law School was soon moved to the central building of the Ministry of Justice due to the increasing number of students.In 1910 Prince Rhapi resigned from the office of Minister of Justice and the Law School was first relocated to Wat Mahathat Yuwarat Rang Sarit, a royally sponsored Buddhist temple, and then to a small royal residence next to the Civil Court.The following year, King Vajiravudh took the Law School under his patronage. By a royal command, the school became a subsidiary of the Ministry of Justice. The School was once again relocated to the former office of the Department of Public Relations, near Phan Phiphop Lila Bridge.