Party affiliations of candidates are important, as candidates can gain from the popularity of their party leaders. However, in many cases, political parties contest to bring local political kingpins into their ranks. The judicial power is exercised in the name of the king . The system is organized in three levels. Judges are appointed, transferred and dismissed by the king on recommendation of the Ministry of Justice.
Judges are independent in conducting trials and giving judgement in accordance with the law.
There is a central juvenile court in Bangkok for defendants under 18 years of age. The courts of appeals review decisions in civil and criminal cases from all courts of first instance. It has 17 divisions and requires 2 judges to sit at each hearings. Judgements from the courts of appeals can be brought for review to the Supreme Court on any point of law and, in certain cases, on questions of fact . It is composed of its president and 21 judges.