The
Prime Minister of Thailand is the
head of governmentHead of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
of
ThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. The
Prime MinisterA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
is also the chairman of the
Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the
Revolution of 1932The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
, when the country became a
constitutional monarchyConstitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
.
The Prime Minister is appointed by a vote in the Thai
House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government. The system of government of Thailand is that of a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. The system of the Thai...
by a simple majority, who is then officially 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 houseThe House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government. The system of government of Thailand is that of a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. The system of the Thai...
or the leader of the largest coalition of parties. In accordance with the constitution, the prime minister can only be appointed twice and is therefore limited to a maximum of two consecutive terms. The incumbent PM is
Yingluck ShinawatraYingluck Shinawatra , or nickname Pu , is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election...
, leader of the Pheu Thai Party. She has held the position since 5 August 2011.
History
The office of the "President of the
People’s Committee" , later changed to "Prime Minister of Siam" , was first created in the Temporary Constitution of 1932. The office was modeled after the
Prime Minister of the United KingdomThe Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and...
, as Siam became a parliamentary democracy in 1932 after a
bloodless revolutionThe Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
. 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 stateA head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
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 SuriyawongseSomdet Chao Phraya Borom Maha Si Suriyawongse December 23, 1808 – January 19, 1883) was a prominent 19th century Thai figure and served as the regent during the early years of the reign of King Chulalongkorn....
, had a very significant role in an otherwise absolutist system. During the reign of King Chulalongkorn, Prince
Damrong RajanubhabDitsawarakuman Damrong Rajanubhab was the founder of the modern Thai education system as well as the modern provincial administration...
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 NititadaPhraya Manopakorn Nititada , born Kon Hutasingha , was the first Prime Minister of Siam after the Siamese Revolution of 1932 as he was selected by the leader of the People's Party - the party that instigated the revolution...
, a judge. The title of the office 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; fifteen out of twenty-seven. Beginning with the country's second Prime Minister: Phot Phahonyothin, who ousted his predecessor in a
coupThe Siamese Coup d’état of June 1933 was considered the first time in Thai history that the Military has successfully overthrown the Constitutional Government. The actual coup took place peacefully on 20 June 1933 in Bangkok. The Coup was led by Colonel Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena against the...
in 1933. The longest serving Prime Minister was
Field MarshalField Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
Plaek PibulsonggramField Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :...
at 14 years, 11 months and 18 days. The shortest was
Tawee BoonyaketTawee Bunyaket was a Thai politician and the prime minister for a short term.After studying at the King's College and the École nationale supérieure d'Agronomie de Grignon , he started to work as a Government Official at the Thai Ministry of Agriculture...
at only just 18 days. Nine were removed by coups d'état, two were disqualified by court order, and eleven resigned from office. The youngest ever to occupy office was M.R.
Seni PramojMom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj was three times the prime minister of Thailand and a politician in the Democrat Party. A member of the Thai royal family, he was a descendant of King Rama II.-Biography:...
at 40 years old. Thailand received its first female prime minister,
Yingluck ShinawatraYingluck Shinawatra , or nickname Pu , is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election...
, in 2011. Every Prime Minister since Manopakorn Nititada has been Buddhist.
Appointment
The
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand must be a member of the
House of Representatives of ThailandThe House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government. The system of government of Thailand is that of a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. The system of the Thai...
. Therefore the qualifications for the office is the same as the qualifications for the House.
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 of Thailand, who will then make a formal appointment by giving his royal assent to the resolution. This must be done within thirty days of the beginning of the first session of the House of Representatives after an election. If no candidate can be found within this time then it is the duty of the
President of the National Assembly of Thailand to submit the name he considers 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.
| Office | Name | Party | Vote in House | Appointment |
| Prime Minister |
Yingluck Shinawatra Yingluck Shinawatra , or nickname Pu , is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election...
|
Pheu Thai Party |
5 August 2011 |
5 August 2011 |
Function
The Prime Minister is the
de factoDe facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
chairman or chairwoman of the
Cabinet of Thailand. The appointment and removal of
MinistersA minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
can only be made with his or her advice. As the leader of the government the Prime Minister is therefore ultimately responsible for the failings and performance of his 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 represent the country abroad as well as 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.
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 BoardNESDB is the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand. It is also called as "Sa-pa-pat" in Thai.-Background:* Established in 1950 as the National Economic Board * Renamed National Economic Development Board in 1959...
, the Office of Public Sector Development Commission and the
Internal Security Operations CommandThe Internal Security Operations Command is a unit of the Thai military devoted to national security issues. It was responsible for suppression of leftist groups during the 1970s and 1980s during which it was implicated in numerous atrocities against activists and civilians. The modern ISOC was...
. 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
debateDebate or debating is a method of interactive and representational argument. Debate is a broader form of argument than logical argument, which only examines consistency from axiom, and factual argument, which only examines what is or isn't the case or rhetoric which is a technique of persuasion...
on the matter. Then after the debate a vote will be taken and with a simple majority the Prime Minister can be removed. This process cannot be repeated within one parliamentary session.
Office and Residence
The Prime Minister is aided in his/her work by the
Office of the Prime MinisterThe Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand is the central executive agency in the Government of the Kingdom Thailand. It is classified as a Cabinet Department of Thailand and is led by its own Minister. The office main responsibility is to assist the Prime Minister of Thailand in his role as the...
a Cabinet level Department headed usually by two
Minister of StateMinister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
. These offices are housed in the
Government House of ThailandThe Government House in Bangkok houses the offices of the Prime Minister of Thailand and his cabinet ministers. It also contains conference rooms and is used for state functions and receptions of foreign guests. It consists of several palace-like structures extending over...
in the
DusitDusit is one of the 50 districts of Bangkok, Thailand.The district forms the main administrative center of Thailand, as both the national parliament as well as the royal palace are located in this district, as well as several ministries...
area of
BangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
.
| Office | Name | Party | Appointment |
| Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister |
Surawit Khonsomboon Surawit Khonsomboon is a Thai politician. He is currently serving as Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister in the cabinet of prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra...
|
Pheu Thai Party |
9 August 2011 |
| Minister to the Office of the Prime Minister |
Kritsana Seehalak |
Pheu Thai Party |
9 August 2011 |
| Secretary to the Prime Minister |
Bunthoon Supakkawanich |
Pheu Thai Party |
9 August 2011 |
The
official residenceAn official residence is the residence at which heads of state, heads of government, gubernatorial or other senior figures officially reside...
of the Prime Minister is Phitsanulok Mansion at the center of
BangkokBangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
. The Mansion was built during the reign of King Vajiravudh, it became an official residence in 1979. The Mansion is however rumored to have many ghosts, therefore most Prime Ministers live at their own private residences and only use the house for official business.
Deputy Prime Minister
Several
Deputy Prime Ministers of Thailand can be appointed. This position can be combined with other ministerial portfolios. Currently there are five deputy Prime Ministers.
| Office | Name | Party | Appointment | Other offices |
| Deputy Prime Minister |
Yongyuth Wichaidit Yongyuth Wichaidit is a Thai politician and high-rank public servant. Currently, he is the chairman of the Pheu Thai Party which is the main governing party, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior in the government of Yingluck Shinawatra.Yongyuth served as deputy minister of interior,...
|
Pheu Thai Party |
9 August 2011 |
Minister of the Interior The Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Thailand is an important Cabinet-level department in the Government of Thailand. The Ministry is given wide ranging responsibilities over many aspects...
|
| Deputy Prime Minister |
Police Captain Chalerm Yubamrung |
Pheu Thai Party |
9 August 2011 |
|
| Deputy Prime Minister |
Police General Kowit Wattana Kowit Wattana is a Thai Police General and politician. From 2004 to 2007 he was the Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police. In 2008, he was Minister of the Interior, and since 2011 he has been Deputy Prime Minister under Yingluck Shinawatra...
|
Pheu Thai Party |
9 August 2011 |
|
| Deputy Prime Minister |
Kittiratt Na-Ranong Kittiratt Na-Ranong is a Thai manager and politician. He has been a Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce in Yingluck Shinawatra's cabinet since 9 August 2011....
|
non-partisan |
9 August 2011 |
Minister of Commerce The Ministry of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand is a Cabinet ministry in the Government of Thailand. The head of the ministry is called the Minister of Commerce, he is a member of the Cabinet of Thailand...
|
| Deputy Prime Minister |
Chumpol Silpa-archa Chumpol Silpa-archa is a Thai politician. He is the younger brother of former Prime Minister Banharn Silpa-archa. Since 2008, he has been Minister of Tourism and Sports in Abhisit Vejjajiva's cabinet and since January 2009 he has been the president of the Chartthaipattana Party.Chumpol holds a...
|
Chart Thai Pattana Party |
9 August 2011 |
Minister of Tourism and Sports The Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Kingdom of Thailand is a Cabinet ministry in the Government of Thailand. The Ministry's primary area of responsibility are over Tourism and Sports in the Kingdom. The Ministry is in charge of promoting the tourist industry and promote sports both in...
|
List of Prime Ministers
Living former Prime Ministers
| Name | Term of office | Date of birth | Political party |
Tanin KraivixienTanin Kraivixien or Thanin Kraivixien was the prime minister of Thailand between 1976 and 1977. Tanin is a son of Hae and Pa-ob Kraivixien, and is of Chinese-Thai descent. Tanin studied law at Thammasat University, graduating in 1948. He then went to the London School of Economics to continue with...
|
1976-1977 |
5 April 1927 (age 84) |
non-partisan |
Prem TinsulanondaGeneral Prem Tinsulanonda is a retired Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to August 4, 1988. He now serves as the Head of the Privy Council of the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej....
|
1980-1988 |
26 August 1920 (age 91) |
Military |
| Anand Panyarachun Anand Panyarachun was Thailand's Prime Minister twice, between 1991–1992 and once again in 1992. He was effective in initiating economic and political reforms, one of which was the drafting of Thailand's "Peoples' Constitution", which was promulgated in 1997 and abrogated in 2006...
|
1991-1992, 1992 |
9 August 1932 (age 79) |
non-partisan |
| Suchinda Kraprayoon Suchinda Kraprayoon was Prime Minister of Thailand from 7 April 1992 until 24 May 1992.Suchinda, son of Juang and Sompong Kraprayoon, was born 6 August 1933 in the province of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, and is of Chinese and Mon descent...
|
1992 |
6 August 1933 (age 78) |
Military |
Chuan LeekpaiChuan Leekpai was the Prime Minister of Thailand from September 20, 1992 to May 19, 1995 and again from November 9, 1997 to February 9, 2001. A third-generation Thai Chinese, Chuan was born in Trang province in a grass-roofed house. The walls of his family's house were woven from strips of...
|
1992-1995; 1997-2001 |
28 July 1938 (age 73) |
Democrat PartyThe Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
|
Banharn Silpa-archaBanharn Silpa-archa was the 21st Prime Minister of Thailand, from 13 July 1995 to 24 November 1996. He has been a veteran Sino-Thai Member of Parliament since 1976 as the elected representative of Suphanburi province...
|
1995-1996 |
19 August 1932 (age 79) |
Thai Nation Party |
| Chavalit Yongchaiyudh General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is a Thai politician and retired general. He was Thailand's 22nd Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. He is of Sino-Thai and ethnic Lao descent....
|
1996-1997 |
15 May 1932 (age 79) |
New Aspiration Party The New Aspiration Party was a political party in Thailand. In the legislative elections, on February 6, 2005, the party won 0.4 % of the popular vote and no seats in the House of Representatives....
|
Thaksin ShinawatraThaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup....
|
2001-2006 |
26 July 1949 (age 62) |
Thai Rak Thai The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin...
|
Surayud ChulanontGeneral Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008...
|
2006-2008 |
28 August 1943 (age 68) |
non-partisan (Military) |
Somchai WongsawatSomchai Wongsawat is a Thai politician, as well as former executive member of the People's Power Party whose political rights have been disfranchised by the Constitutional Court for five years....
|
2008 |
31 August 1947 (age 64) |
People's Power PartyThe People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng...
|
Abhisit VejjajivaAbhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
|
2008-2011 |
3 August 1964 (age 47) |
Democrat PartyThe Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative...
|
See also
- Government of Thailand
- Constitution of Thailand
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand is the supreme law of Thailand. Since the change from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional democracy in 1932, Thailand has had 17 charters and constitutions, reflecting the high degree of political instability and frequency of military coups faced...
- List of Prime Ministers of Thailand
- Abhisit Vejjajiva
Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party...
External links