Prime Minister of Thailand

Head of government of Thailand

For the list, see List of prime ministers of Thailand.

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand

นายกรัฐมนตรีแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย

Prime Ministerial Seal

Prime Ministerial Standard

Incumbent
Srettha Thavisin
since 22 August 2023[1]

Office of the Prime Minister
Royal Thai Government
Style| His Excellency
Status| Head of government
Member of|

* Cabinet of Thailand
* National Security Council
* Internal Security Operations Command

Reports to| National Assembly
Residence| Phitsanulok Mansion
Seat| Government House
Nominator| House of Representatives
Appointer| The Monarch
Term length| Four years,
No more than eight years in total[2]
Constituting instrument| Constitution of Thailand
Formation| 28 June 1932; 93 years ago (1932-06-28)
First holder| Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada
Deputy| Deputy Prime Minister
Salary| ฿125,590/US$ 3,638 monthly[3]
Website| www.thaigov.go.th

Politics of Thailand

Constitution

* History
* Laws
* Human rights
* LGBT rights

Monarchy

* The King (List)

Vajiralongkorn (Rama X)

* Heir presumptive

Dipangkorn Rasmijoti

* * *

* Head of the Royal Armed Forces
* Royal family
* Succession
* Regent
* Privy Council
* Bureau of the Royal Household
* Royal Security Command
* Crown Property Bureau

Executive

* Prime Ministers (list)

Prayut Chan-o-cha

* Deputy Prime Ministers

Prawit Wongsuwan (PPRP)
Wissanu Krea-ngam
Anutin Charnvirakul (BJT)
Jurin Laksanawisit (D)
Don Pramudwinai
Supattanapong Punmeechaow

* * *

62nd Council of Ministers

* * *

Cabinet

Ministries
Independent agencies

Legislature

* President

Chuan Leekpai (D)

* Vice President

Pornpetch Wichitcholchai

* * *

* Senate

* President

Pornpetch Wichitcholchai

* Vice Presidents

Singsuk Singpai
Supachai Somcharoen

* * *

* House of Representatives

* Speaker

Chuan Leekpai (D)

* Deputy Speakers

Suchart Tancharoen (PPRP)
Suphachai Phosu (BJT)

* Leader of the Opposition

Chonlanan Srikaew (PTP)

* * *

* 12th Senate of Thailand
* 25th House of Representatives

Judiciary

* Supreme Court

President : Chotiwat Luengprasert

* Administrative Court

President : Vorapot Visrutpich

* Constitutional Court

President : Worawit Kangsasitiam

* * *

* Criminal Court
* Military Courts

Elections & Referendums

Recent elections & referendums

* General Elections

* 2011
* 2014
* 2019
* 2023

* * *

* Senate Elections

* 2000
* 2006
* 2008
* 2014

* * *

* Referendums

* 2007
* 2016

* * *

* Local elections

* Bangkok
* Pattaya
* Provincial
* Subdistrict
* Municipalities
* Village

* * *

* Election Commission
* Political Parties

Administrative Divisions

Ministry of Interior

* Provincial

* Provinces (Governors)
* Districts
* Subdistrict
* Village

* * *

* Local

* Provincial Administrative Organisation
* City Municipality
* Town Municipality
* Subdistrict Municipality
* Subdistrict Administrative Organisation

* * *

* Special

* Bangkok (Governor)
* Pattaya

Foreign relations

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

* * *

Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand

* * *

Passport Visa requirements Visa policy

* * *

Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam)

* * *

Foreign aid

* * *

* UN
* ASEAN
* ACD
* BIMSTEC
* MRC
* EAS
* RCEP
* APEC
* MNNA
* G77
* IPEF

Political unrest

After reunited in 1767

* Political crisis

* Front Palace Crisis (1874–1875)
* 1970s peasant revolts
* 1973 popular uprising
* Black May (1992)
* 2005–2006 political crisis
* 2008 political crisis
* 2009 political unrest
* 2010 political protests
* 2013–2014 political crisis
* 2020–present protests

* * *

* Military coups

* Palace Revolt of 1912
* Revolution of 1932
* April 1933 coup d'état
* June 1933 coup d'état
* Boworadet rebellion (1933)
* Rebellion of the Sergeants (1935)
* Songsuradet Rebellion (1939)
* 1947 coup d'état
* 1948 coup d'état
* Army General Staff plot (1948)
* Palace Rebellion (1949)
* Manhattan Rebellion (1951)
* Silent Coup (1951)
* March 1977 coup d'état attempt
* October 1977 coup d'état
* 1981 military rebellion
* 1985 coup d'état attempt
* 1991 coup d'état
* 2006 coup d'état
* 2014 coup d'état

* * *

* Terrorism

* Israeli Bangkok Embassy hostage crisis (1972)
* 1999 attack on the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok
* South insurgency (2004–present)
* 2012 Bangkok bombings
* 2015 Bangkok bombing
* 2019 Bangkok bombings

* * *

* Conflicts

* Taksin's reunification (1767–1771)
* Cambodian rebellion (1811–1812)
* Lao rebellion (1826–1828)
* Haw wars (1865–1890)
* Holy Man's Rebellion (1901–1936)
* Ngiao rebellion (1902)
* Communist insurgency (1965–1983)

* * *

* Foreign relations crisis

* Wars
* Blue Diamond Affair (1989–2019)
* 2003 Phnom Penh riots
* Cambodian–Thai border dispute (2008–2011)

Related topics

* History
* Demographics
* Economy
* Education
* Crime
* Armed Forces
* Police
* Bank of Thailand

* Other countries

* v
* t
* e

The prime minister of Thailand (Thai: นายกรัฐมนตรี, RTGS: Nayok Ratthamontri, pronounced [nāː.jók rát.tʰā.mōn.trīː]; literally 'chief minister of state') is the head of government of Thailand. The prime minister is also the chair of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy. Prior to the 2014 coup d'état, the prime minister was nominated by a vote in the Thai House of Representatives by a simple majority, and is then appointed and sworn in by the king of Thailand. The house's selection is usually based on the fact that either the prime minister is the leader of the largest political party in the lower house or the leader of the largest coalition of parties. In accordance with the 2017 Constitution, the Prime Minister can hold the office for no longer than eight years, consecutively or not. The post of Prime Minister is currently held by Pheu Thai Party politician and former CEO of Sansiri, Srettha Thavisin.

## Contents

* 1 History
* 2 Appointment
* 3 Function
* 4 Office and residence
* 5 Deputy prime ministers
* 6 List of prime ministers
* 6.1 Flags of the prime minister
* 7 See also
* 8 References
* 9 External links

## History[edit | edit source]

The office of the "President of the People's Committee" (ประธานคณะกรรมการราษฎร), later changed to "Prime Minister of Siam" (นายกรัฐมนตรีสยาม), was first created in the Temporary Constitution of 1932. The office was modeled after the prime minister of the United Kingdom, as Siam became a parliamentary democracy in 1932 after a bloodless revolution. However, the idea of a separate head of government in Thailand is not new.

Prior to 1932, Thailand was ruled by absolute monarchs, who acted as both the head of state and the government. However, during the middle and latter reigns of the Chakri Dynasty, several individuals were perceived to hold a post equivalent to a head of government. During the reign of King Mongkut, Somdet Chao Phraya Si Suriyawongse had a very significant role in an otherwise absolutist system. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Prince Damrong Rajanubhab took over this role. In fact, the office most considered the precursor of that of the prime minister was the ancient office of Samuha Nayok (สมุหนายก), which was run by an Akkhra Maha Senabodi (อัครมหาเสนาบดี) or "chief minister in charge of civilian affairs".

The first prime minister of Siam was Phraya Manopakorn Nititada, a judge. The title of the office was changed from "Prime Minister of Siam" to "Prime Minister of Thailand" in 1945 and then permanently with the renaming of Siam to Thailand in 1949. For most of its existence, the office has been occupied by Army leaders; sixteen out of thirty. Military dominance began with the country's second prime minister, Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena, who ousted his civilian predecessor in a coup in 1933. The longest-serving prime minister was Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram at 14 years, 11 months, and 18 days. The shortest was Thawi Bunyaket at just 18 days.[4] Nine were removed by coups d'état, three were disqualified by court order, and eleven resigned from office. The youngest ever to occupy office was M.R. Seni Pramoj at 40 years old. Thailand received its first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2011. Every prime minister since Manopakorn Nititada has been Buddhist.

The current 2017 constitution states that the Prime Minister shall hold the office for no longer than eight years, consecutively or not. The term limit was the subject of legal challenge in 2022 after there were debates of how to count the term.[5] The Constitutional Court ruled 6–3 that the term would be counted from the promulgation of the 2017 constitution, so that Prayut Chan-o-cha was allowed to continue his premiership despite having held the position since the 2014 coup.[6]

## Appointment[edit | edit source]

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (October 2023)

|

According to the 2007 constitution, The prime minister of the Kingdom of Thailand must be a member of the House of Representatives. Therefore, the qualifications for the office of prime minister are the same as the qualifications for membership in the house.

Prior to the 2014 coup d'état, to be appointed, the nominee for the office must have the support of one-fifth of the members of the House of Representatives. Then after a simple majority vote in the house, a resolution will be passed and submitted to the king, who will then make a formal appointment by giving his royal assent to the resolution. This must take place within thirty days after the beginning of the first session of the House of Representatives after an election. If no candidate can be found within this time period, then it is the duty of the president of the National Assembly of Thailand to submit the name considered most worthy for the king to formalize.

The nominee and eventual prime minister is always the leader of the largest political party in the lower house or the leader of the majority coalition formed after an election.

Under the junta, until 2019, the nominee for the office was selected by National Legislative Assembly, with the House of Representatives having been abolished. Under the constitution written by the junta, the prime minister is currently appointed by the full National Assembly, including the military-appointed Senate

## Function[edit | edit source]

The prime minister is the de facto chair of the Cabinet of Thailand. The appointment and removal of ministers can only be made with their advice. As the leader of the government, the prime minister is therefore ultimately responsible for the failings and performance of their ministers and the government as a whole. The prime minister cannot hold office for a consecutive period of more than eight years. As the most visible member of the government, the prime minister represents the country abroad and is the main spokesperson for the government at home. The prime minister must, under the constitution, lead the cabinet in announcing the government's policy statement in front of a joint session of the National Assembly, within fifteen days of being sworn in.[7]

The prime minister is also directly responsible for many departments. These include the National Intelligence Agency, the Bureau of the Budget, the Office of the National Security Council, the Office of the Council of State, the Office of the Civil Service Commission, the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board, the Office of Public Sector Development Commission, and the Internal Security Operations Command. Legislatively all money bills introduced in the National Assembly must require the prime minister's approval.

The prime minister can be removed by a vote of no confidence. This process can be evoked, firstly with the vote of only one-fifth of the members of the House of Representatives for a debate on the matter. Then after the debate a vote is taken and with a simple majority the prime minister can be removed. This process cannot be repeated within one parliamentary session.

## Office and residence[edit | edit source]

The prime minister is aided in his work by the Office of the Prime Minister (สำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี) a cabinet-level department headed usually by two ministers of state. These offices are housed in the Government House of Thailand (ทำเนียบรัฐบาล) in the Dusit area of Bangkok.

The official residence of the prime minister is the Phitsanulok Mansion (บ้านพิษณุโลก), in the center of Bangkok. The mansion was built during the reign of King Vajiravudh. It became an official residence in 1979. The mansion is rumored to have many ghosts, therefore most prime ministers live in their private residences and only use the house for official business.[8][9]

## Deputy prime ministers[edit | edit source]

Main article: Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand

Several deputy prime ministers of Thailand (รองนายกรัฐมนตรี) can be appointed. This position can be combined with other ministerial portfolios.

Office
(Another office) | Name | Appointment

|
|

Deputy Prime Minister
(Minister of Commerce) | Phumtham Wechyachai | 1 September 2023
Deputy Prime Minister
(Minister of Transport) | Suriya Juangroongruangkit | 27 April 2024
Deputy Prime Minister
(Ministry of Finance) | Pichai Chunhavajira | 27 April 2024
Deputy Prime Minister
(Minister of Interior) | Anutin Charnvirakul | 10 July 2019
Deputy Prime Minister
(Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment) | Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan | 1 September 2023
Deputy Prime Minister
(Minister of Energy) | Pirapan Salirathavibhaga [th] | 1 September 2023

## List of prime ministers[edit | edit source]

Main article: List of prime ministers of Thailand

### Flags of the prime minister[edit | edit source]

* Flag of the prime minister of Thailand 1936-1939

* Flag of the prime minister of Thailand 1939-1979

* Flag of the prime minister of Thailand 1979-present

## See also[edit | edit source]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Prime Ministers of Thailand.

* List of prime ministers of Thailand
* Constitution of Thailand
* Government of Thailand
* Office of the Prime Minister (Thailand)
* Cabinet of Thailand

## References[edit | edit source]

1. ^ ประกาศแต่งตั้งนายกรัฐมนตรี ลงวันที่ 22 สิงหาคม 2566 Archived 23 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine ราชกิจจานุเบกษา เล่ม ๑๔๐ ตอนพิเศษ ๒๐๑ ง หน้า ๑ วันที่ ๒๓ สิงหาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๖
2. ^ "Unofficial Translation Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand" (PDF). Retrieved 26 August 2022.
3. ^ Nanuam, Wassana. "PM, cabinet to offer their salaries to Covid sufferers". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
4. ^ ที่สุด! ที่สุด! ของนายกรัฐมนตรี และคณะรัฐมนตรีไทย (in Thai). Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 21 December 2008.
5. ^ "Prayuth Chan-ocha: Thai court suspends PM and coup leader". BBC News. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 26 August 2022.
6. ^ Wongcha-um, Panu; Thepgumpanat, Panarat (30 September 2022). "Thai court clears way for PM Prayuth's return from suspension". Reuters. Retrieved 30 July 2023.
7. ^ "Thai PM speech off amid protests". BBC News. 29 December 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
8. ^ A Thai Ghost Story by Christopher G. Moore
9. ^ Chuan takes a home with haunting history

## External links[edit | edit source]

* Official Website, the website for the Royal Thai Government
* History of Thai Prime Ministers, a detailed list of Prime Ministers

* v
* t
* e

Royal Thai Government

* Constitution of Thailand
* list

Monarchy|

* King of Thailand
* list
* Crown Prince
* Privy Council

Executive|

* Prime Minister of Thailand
* list
* Deputy Prime Minister
* Council of Ministers of Thailand

Legislative|

* National Assembly

Judicial|

* Constitutional Court
* Supreme Court
* Criminal Court
* Administrative Court
* Military Court

Ministries|

* Office of the Prime Minister
* Agriculture and Cooperatives
* Commerce
* Culture
* Defence
* Armed Forces
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Education
* Energy
* Finance
* Foreign Affairs
* Digital Economy and Society
* Industry
* Interior
* Justice
* Labour
* Natural Resources and Environment
* Public Health
* Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation
* Social Development and Human Security
* Tourism and Sport
* Transport

Constitutional
organizations|

* Office of the Election Commission
* Office of the Ombudsman
* National Anti-Corruption Commission
* State Audit Commission
* Office of the Attorney General
* National Human Rights Commission of Thailand

Independent
departments|

* Bureau of the Royal Household
* National Office of Buddhism
* Office of the Royal Development Projects Board
* Office of the National Research Council of Thailand
* Royal Society
* Royal Thai Police
* Anti-Money Laundering Office

Independent
organisations|

* Bank of Thailand
* Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission
* Office of Insurance Commission
* Office of the Energy Regulatory Commission
* Thai Public Broadcasting Service
* Deposit Protection Agency
* Office of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission

* '
* Project
* Commons
* Category

* v
* t
* e

Prime ministers of Thailand (List)

King Rama VII|

* Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada
* Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena

King Rama VIII|

* Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena
* Plaek Phibunsongkhram
* Khuang Aphaiwong
* Thawi Bunyaket
* Seni Pramoj
* Khuang Aphaiwong
* Pridi Banomyong

King Rama IX|

* Pridi Banomyong
* Thawan Thamrongnawasawat
* Khuang Aphaiwong
* Plaek Phibunsongkhram
* Pote Sarasin
* Thanom Kittikachorn
* Sarit Thanarat
* Thanom Kittikachorn
* Sanya Dharmasakti
* Seni Pramoj
* Kukrit Pramoj
* Seni Pramoj
* Thanin Kraivichien
* Kriangsak Chomanan
* Prem Tinsulanonda
* Chatichai Choonhavan
* Anand Panyarachun
* Suchinda Kraprayoon
* Meechai Ruchuphan†
* Anand Panyarachun
* Chuan Leekpai
* Banharn Silpa-archa
* Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
* Chuan Leekpai
* Thaksin Shinawatra
* Chitchai Wannasathit†
* Thaksin Shinawatra
* Surayud Chulanont
* Samak Sundaravej
* Somchai Wongsawat
* Chaovarat Chanweerakul†
* Abhisit Vejjajiva
* Yingluck Shinawatra
* Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan†
* Prayut Chan-o-cha

King Rama X|

* Prayut Chan-o-cha
* Prawit Wongsuwan†

* "italics" indicate military officeholders
* "†" indicate acting or caretaker officeholders.

* v
* t
* e

Lists related to the prime ministers of Thailand

Main|

* List of prime ministers of Thailand

Rankings|

* Time in office

Personal life|

* Education

Spouse|

* Spouses

Deputy|

* Deputy prime ministers

* v
* t
* e

Thailand articles

History|

| Chronology|

* Prehistory
* Peopling
* Tai peoples
* Early history
* Initial states
* Sukhothai Kingdom
* Ayutthaya Kingdom
* Thonburi Kingdom
* Rattanakosin era
* Siamese Revolution
* 1932–1973
* 1973–2001
* since 2001

|

By topic|

* Archaeology
* Economic
* Education
* Military

Geography|

* Addresses
* Borders
* Cities and towns
* Climate
* Ecoregions
* Environmental issues
* Islands
* Mountains
* Protected areas
* Provinces
* Regions
* Rivers
* Volcanoes
* Wildlife
* World Heritage sites

Politics|

* Administrative divisions
* Cabinet
* Constitution
* Elections
* Commission
* Foreign relations
* Government
* Human rights
* LGBT
* Intelligence agencies
* Judiciary
* Law
* Localism
* Ministries
* Military
* Army
* Navy
* Air Force
* Monarchy
* Parliament
* House of Representatives
* Senate
* Police
* Political parties
* Prime Minister
* Deputy Prime Minister

Economy|

* Agriculture
* Baht (currency)
* Banks
* Central bank
* Car industry
* Energy
* Nuclear
* Renewable
* Manufacturing
* Special economic zones
* EEC
* SEC
* Science and technology
* Stock Exchange
* Telecommunications
* Tourism
* Transport

Society|

* Crime
* Corruption
* Lèse majesté
* Prostitution
* Sex trafficking
* Demographics
* People
* Education
* Universities
* Ethnic groups
* Gambling
* Health
* Healthcare
* Hospitals
* Language
* Racism
* Religion
* Squatting
* Women

Culture|

* Animation
* Architecture
* Art
* Cinema
* Clothing
* Cuisine
* Drama
* Etiquette
* Folklore
* Literature
* Names
* Marriage
* Martial arts
* Media
* Music
* Performing arts
* Public holidays
* Sports
* Symbols
* Animal
* Aquatic
* Bird
* Anthem
* Deity
* Emblem
* Flag
* Flower
* Time
* Lunar calendar
* Solar calendar
* Video gaming

* Outline
* Index

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Prime ministers

Prime ministers
by country|

* Abkhazia
* Afghanistan
* Albania
* Algeria
* Antigua and Barbuda
* Armenia
* Aruba
* Australia
* Azerbaijan
* Bahamas
* Bahrain
* Bangladesh
* Barbados
* Belarus
* Belgium
* Belize
* Bermuda
* Bhutan
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Bulgaria
* Burkina Faso
* Burundi
* Cambodia
* Cameroon
* Canada
* Cape Verde
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Congo (Republic)
* Congo (Democratic Republic)
* Cook Islands
* Croatia
* Cuba
* Curaçao
* Northern Cyprus
* Czech Republic
* Denmark
* Djibouti
* Dominica
* East Timor
* Egypt
* Equatorial Guinea
* Estonia
* Ethiopia
* Faroe Islands
* Fiji
* Finland
* France
* Gabon
* Georgia
* Greece
* Greenland
* Grenada
* Guinea
* Guinea-Bissau
* Guyana
* Haiti
* Hungary
* Iceland
* India
* Iraq
* Ireland
* Israel
* Italy
* Jamaica
* Japan
* Jordan
* Kazakhstan
* North Korea
* South Korea
* Kosovo
* Kuwait
* Kyrgyzstan
* Laos
* Latvia
* Lebanon
* Lesotho
* Libya
* Lithuania
* Luxembourg
* Madagascar
* Malaysia
* Mali
* Malta
* Mauritania
* Mauritius
* Moldova
* Mongolia
* Montenegro
* Morocco
* Mozambique
* Myanmar
* Namibia
* Nepal
* Netherlands
* New Zealand
* Niue
* North Macedonia
* Norway
* Pakistan
* Palestine
* Papua New Guinea
* Peru
* Poland
* Portugal
* Qatar
* Romania
* Russia
* Rwanda
* Saint Kitts and Nevis
* Saint Lucia
* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
* Samoa
* São Tomé and Principe
* Saudi Arabia
* Senegal
* Serbia
* Singapore
* Sint Maarten
* Slovakia
* Slovenia
* Solomon Islands
* Somalia
* South Ossetia
* Spain
* Sri Lanka
* Sudan
* Swaziland
* Sweden
* Syria
* Tajikistan
* Tanzania
* Thailand
* Tonga
* Trinidad and Tobago
* Tunisia
* Turks and Caicos Islands
* Tuvalu
* Uganda
* Ukraine
* United Arab Emirates
* United Kingdom
* Uzbekistan
* Vanuatu
* Vietnam
* Yemen
* Western Sahara

Defunct title|

* Angola
* Benin
* Brazil
* Comoros
* Gambia
* Ghana
* Indonesia
* Iran
* Kenya
* Malawi
* Maldives
* Nagorno-Karabakh
* Nigeria
* Philippines
* Seychelles
* South Africa
* Turkey
* Turkmenistan
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

* v
* t
* e

Leaders of Southeast Asian countries

Heads of state|

* Brunei (Monarch)
* Cambodia (Monarch)
* East Timor (President)
* Indonesia (President) (list)
* Laos (President)
* Malaysia (Monarch)
* Myanmar (President) (list)
* Philippines (President) (list)
* Singapore (President)
* Thailand (Monarch) (list)
* Vietnam (President) (list)

Heads of government|

* Brunei
* Cambodia (list)
* East Timor
* Indonesia (list)
* Laos
* Malaysia
* Myanmar (list)
* Philippines (list)
* Singapore
* Thailand (list)
* Vietnam (list)

Supreme leaders|

* Laos
* Myanmar
* Vietnam

Defunct heads of state
and government|

* Burma (Monarch)
* Dutch East Indies (Governor-General)
* Indonesia (Prime Minister)
* Laos (Monarch)
* Myanmar (State Counsellor)
* Philippines (Governor-General) (Prime Minister)
* South Vietnam (leaders)

ASEAN
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template