House of Representatives (Thailand) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids House of Representativesสภาผู้แทนราษฎร Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon |
|
|---|---|
| 26th House of Representatives | |
Seal of the National Assembly
|
|
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
|
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Prachachat
Since 5 July 2023 |
|
|
First Deputy Speaker
|
Padipat Suntiphada, Fair Party
Since 5 July 2023 |
|
Second Deputy Speaker
|
Pichet Chuamuangphan, Pheu Thai
Since 5 July 2023 |
|
Srettha Thavisin, Pheu Thai
Since 22 August 2023 |
|
|
Government Chief Whip
|
Wisut Chaiyarun, Pheu Thai
Since 22 February 2024 |
|
Leader of the Opposition
|
Chaithawat Tulathon, Move Forward
Since 17 December 2023 |
|
Opposition Chief Whip
|
Pakornwut Udompipatskul, Move Forward
Since 26 December 2023 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 500 |
 |
|
|
Political groups
|
Government (315)
|
|
Length of term
|
Up to 4 years |
| Elections | |
| Parallel voting: First-past-the-post voting (400 seats) Party-list proportional representation (100 seats) |
|
|
Last election
|
14 May 2023 |
|
Next election
|
By 27 June 2027 |
| Meeting place | |
 |
|
| Phra Suriyan Chamber Sappaya-Sapasathan Dusit District Bangkok, Thailand |
|
| Website | |
| www.parliament.go.th | |
The House of Representatives (Thai: สภาผู้แทนราษฎร, Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon) is like the main part of Thailand's government that makes laws. It's called the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand. This means it's one of two main groups that form the country's law-making body.
Thailand's government is a constitutional monarchy, which means it has a King or Queen, but the country is run by elected officials. It's also a parliamentary democracy, similar to the system used in the United Kingdom.
The House of Representatives has 500 members. These members are called MPs. Most of them (400) are chosen by people voting directly in their local areas. The other 100 MPs are chosen from lists of political parties, based on how many votes each party gets across the country.
The House of Representatives was stopped for a while after a big change in government in 2014. It was replaced by a different group. But after a new set of rules for the country (the 2017 Constitution) was made, the House of Representatives was started again.
Contents
How the House of Representatives Works
Making New Laws
Anyone can suggest a new law, but it usually starts with the government's main group (the Cabinet), or at least 20 members of parliament. Sometimes, even 10,000 regular voters can suggest a law!
However, if a law is about money, like taxes or the country's budget, only the Prime Minister can officially suggest it. If there's a question about whether a law is about money, the Speaker and other leaders in the House decide together.
Once the House agrees on a new law, it goes to the other part of the National Assembly, called the Senate. The Senate has a certain amount of time to look at the law. If they don't finish in time, the law is considered approved by them.
After both the House and the Senate agree, the Prime Minister waits a few days. This gives people a chance to say if they think the law goes against the country's main rules (the Constitution). Then, the Prime Minister sends the law to the King for his final approval. This is called royal assent.
Sometimes, the government needs to make a quick rule in an emergency. These emergency acts must be checked by the House of Representatives very soon after. If the House approves, it becomes a regular law. If not, it stops being a rule.
Checking the Country's Budget
The country's main rules (the 2017 Constitution) say that the government's budget must be written as a law. When the government suggests a budget, they must show where the money will come from and how it will be spent. They also need to show how it fits with the country's long-term plans.
The process for checking the budget is similar to making a new law. However, the House has more time to discuss it. Also, the Senate cannot change the budget; they can only vote to approve or reject it.
Keeping an Eye on the Government
Asking Ministers Questions
Members of Parliament (MPs) can ask questions to government ministers. They can do this in writing or by asking directly during meetings. This helps them check what the government is doing. A minister can refuse to answer if it would put the country's safety at risk.
Voting of No Confidence
If enough MPs (at least one-fifth of them) think a minister or the whole government is not doing a good job, they can ask for a special vote. This is called a motion of no confidence. If more than half of the MPs vote for it, that minister or the whole government must step down. This is a very important way for the House to hold the government accountable.
Setting Up Committees
The House can create smaller groups called committees. These committees work on specific tasks, like investigating problems or studying new ideas. They report their findings back to the main House. Ministers must help these committees by providing information or allowing government workers to speak to them.
Choosing the Prime Minister
The House of Representatives also plays a big role in choosing the Prime Minister. To become a candidate for Prime Minister, a person must be supported by at least one-tenth of the House's votes. They must also be on a political party's list. After the House votes, the King officially approves the chosen Prime Minister.
History of the House
The House of Representatives was first created after a big change in Thailand in 1932. This change, called the Revolution of 1932, ended the rule of absolute monarchs and started a system where the King shared power with elected officials.
When King Prajadhipok signed the first temporary rules (the 1932 constitution), he set up the first group of lawmakers. This first group, called the People's Assembly, met on June 28, 1932. Since then, the House has changed many times.
Here are some key moments in its history:
- 1946: A new set of rules (the 1946 constitution) made the House of Representatives fully elected by the people.
- 1949: Orapin Chaiyakan became the first woman ever elected to the National Assembly in Thailand. She joined the House of Representatives.
- 1959: The House was temporarily stopped by a military leader, Sarit Thanarat.
- 1968: The House was started again with 219 members.
- 1972: The House was stopped again by Thanom Kittikachorn.
- 1978: An elected House returned with 301 members.
- 1997: The House of Representatives was set up with 500 members. Most were elected directly, and some were chosen from party lists.
- 2014: The House was stopped again after a change in government.
- 2017: The House was started again after new rules (the 2017 constitution) were put in place.
Who Can Be an MP?
To become a Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Representatives, a person needs to meet certain requirements. These rules are found in the country's constitution.
A candidate must be a Thai citizen from birth and at least 25 years old on election day. They also need to have lived or worked in the area they want to represent for a certain number of years. Candidates must be members of a political party for a specific time before the election. This rule helps prevent people from switching parties just before an election.
Some people are not allowed to be candidates. For example, those who have been declared bankrupt, or those who have been removed from public service for serious reasons. People who work in the government's main group (the Cabinet), the Senate, or the court system usually cannot be MPs at the same time.
How Elections Work
The House of Representatives has 500 members. Most of them (400) are elected directly by voters in different areas across the country. The person who gets the most votes in an area wins. The other 100 members are chosen based on how many votes their political party gets overall.
In Thai general elections, voters usually get two votes. One vote is for the person they want to represent their local area. The second vote is for the political party they prefer.
Elections for the House of Representatives are held every four years. The King can also decide to end the House's term early through a special announcement. If this happens, a new election must be held within 40 to 60 days.
Almost everyone in Thailand can vote if they are a citizen and over 18 years old. Voting in elections is important in Thailand. Some people are not allowed to vote, like members of the clergy (religious leaders) or those who are not mentally capable.
Term Length and Ending the House
The House of Representatives usually serves for exactly four years from the day of the last election. When this four-year term ends, the King announces a new election. This election must happen within 40 days.
The King also has the power to end the House's term early if needed. This is called dissolving the House. If the House is dissolved, a new election must be held within 40 to 60 days. This can only happen once for the same reasons.
Becoming a Member
Members of the House of Representatives are usually called MPs. A person officially becomes an MP on election day. If an MP leaves their position before the term ends (for example, due to resignation or if they are removed), their spot needs to be filled.
If a local MP's spot becomes empty, a new election is held in that area within 40 days. However, if there are less than 180 days left in the House's term, the spot might not be filled.
If an MP chosen from a party list leaves, the Speaker of the House will choose the next person from that party's list to take their place. Any new MP who fills a vacant spot only serves for the rest of the current term.
Who Leads the House?
Presiding Officers
The House of Representatives has a main leader called the Speaker and two Deputy Speakers. These people are in charge of running the meetings and making sure rules are followed. The Speaker of the House is also the overall leader of the National Assembly.
The Speaker and Deputy Speakers are chosen by a secret vote during the first meeting of the House. Once chosen, the King officially approves them. These leaders cannot be part of the government's main group (the Cabinet) or lead a political party. They must be fair and not show favoritism to any political party.
Leader of the Government
The Prime Minister and other government ministers must have been members of the House of Representatives. After the first meeting, the House votes to choose the Prime Minister. The person who leads the biggest political party in the House usually becomes the Prime Minister.
For example, after the 2007 election, several parties joined together to form a government. They chose Samak Sundaravej, who was the leader of the biggest party in that group, to be Prime Minister.
Leader of the Opposition
After the government ministers are chosen, the King also appoints an official Leader of the Opposition. This person is usually the leader of the largest political party that is not part of the government. Their party must also be big enough (more than one-fifth of the House members).
If no single party meets this rule, then the leader of the biggest party that isn't in the government is chosen. The Leader of the Opposition leads the Shadow Cabinet, which is like a team of leaders from the opposition party who watch over the government's work.
See also
- Constitutions of Thailand
- National Assembly of Thailand
