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List of prime ministers of Thailand facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
photograph of Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada
photograph of Plaek Phibunsongkhram
photograph of Yingluck Shinawatra
photograph of Paetongtarn Shinawatra

The Prime Minister of Thailand is the main leader of the government in Thailand. Think of them as the chief manager of the country. They also lead the group of ministers, called the Cabinet, and speak for Thailand both at home and around the world.

This important job has been around in different forms throughout Thailand's history. One older version was called the Samuhanayok during the Ayutthaya Kingdom. This role helped organize the government a long time ago.

The modern job of prime minister started after the Siamese revolution of 1932 and Thailand's first constitution. For much of its history, many prime ministers have been military leaders, often from the Royal Thai Army.

The current prime minister is Paetongtarn Shinawatra. She is the leader of the Pheu Thai Party and took office on August 16, 2024. She is part of the Shinawatra political family. At 37 years old, she is the youngest person to hold this position and the second woman to become prime minister of Thailand.

Note: This list includes leaders who took power during military rule and those who served as acting prime ministers. However, the official list from the Royal Thai Government does not always count them.

Who Are Thailand's Prime Ministers?

This section shows the different people who have been prime minister of Thailand. The colors help you see which political group or party they belonged to.

Color Key (for political groups/parties):

General Categories:       Independent politician (12)       Military Rule (7)

Older Political Parties:

  • Pre–1950:       Free Thai Movement (1)       Khana Ratsadon (5)       Constitutional Front (1)
  • 1950–1975:       Conservative Party (1)       Seri Manangkhasila (1)       National Socialist (1)       United Thai People's Party (1)
  • Post–2000:       Social Action Party (1)       Thai Nation Party (2)       Thai Rak Thai Party (1)       People's Power Party (2)

Current Political Parties:       Democrat Party (6)       New Aspiration Party (1)       Pheu Thai Party (5)       Palang Pracharath Party (1)       United Thai Nation Party (1)

No. Picture Prime Minister
(Years Lived)
Time in Office Election Party Government King
Reign
Started Ended How Long
1 Kon Hutasing.jpg Phraya
Manopakorn Nitithada
พระยามโนปกรณ์นิติธาดา
(1884–1948)
June 28
1932
June 20
1933
357 days Independent Manopakorn I Prajadhipok
King Prajadhipok portrait photograph.jpg
r. 1925 – 1935
(Rama VII)
Manopakorn II
Manopakorn III
2 Phraya Pahol.jpg Phraya
Phahon Phonphayuhasena
พระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา
(1887–1947)
June 21
1933
December 16
1938
5 years, 178 days Khana Ratsadon Phahon I
1933 Phahon II
Phahon III
Ananda Mahidol
King Ananda Mahidol portrait photograph.jpg
r. 1935 – 1946
(Rama VIII)
1937 Phahon IV
Phahon V
3 Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram.jpg Plaek Phibunsongkhram
แปลก พิบูลสงคราม
(1897–1964)
December 16
1938
August 1
1944
5 years, 229 days 1938 Khana Ratsadon Plaek I
Plaek II
4 ควง อภัยวงศ์ (cropped).jpg Khuang Aphaiwong
ควง อภัยวงศ์
(1902–1968)
August 1
1944
August 31
1945
1 year, 30 days Khana Ratsadon Khuang I
5 Tawee Boonyaket.jpg Thawi Bunyaket
ทวี บุณยเกตุ
(1904–1971)
August 31
1945
September 17
1945
17 days Khana Ratsadon Thawi
6 Seni Pramoj in 1945 (cropped).jpg Mom Rajawongse
Seni Pramoj
หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช
(1905–1997)
September 17
1945
January 31
1946
136 days Free Thai Seni I
(4) ควง อภัยวงศ์ (cropped).jpg Khuang Aphaiwong
ควง อภัยวงศ์
(1902–1968)
January 31
1946
March 24
1946
52 days Jan
1946
Khana Ratsadon Khuang II
7 Pridi Banomyong-portrait.jpg Pridi Banomyong
ปรีดี พนมยงค์
(1900–1983)
March 24
1946
August 23
1946
152 days Khana Ratsadon Pridi I
Bhumibol Adulyadej
Portrait painting of Bhumibol Adulyadej (cropped).jpg
r. 1946 – 2016
(Rama IX)
Pridi II
8 ถวัลย์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์.jpg Thawan Thamrongnawasawat
ถวัลย์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์
(1901–1988)
August 23
1946
November 8
1947
1 year, 79 days Aug
1946
Constitutional Front Thawan I
Thawan II
Phin Choonhavan (cropped).jpg Phin Choonhavan
ผิน ชุณหะวัณ
(1891–1973)
De Facto Prime Minister
November 8
1947
November 10
1947
2 days Military National Military Council
(4) ควง อภัยวงศ์ (cropped).jpg Khuang Aphaiwong
ควง อภัยวงศ์
(1902–1968)
November 10
1947
April 8
1948
150 days Democrat Khuang III
1948 Khuang IV
(3) แปลก พิบูลสงคราม ในหนังสือธรรมศาสตร์ (cropped).jpg Plaek Phibunsongkhram
แปลก พิบูลสงคราม
(1897–1964)
April 8
1948
September 16
1957
9 years, 161 days Conservative
(until 1955)
Plaek III
1949 Plaek IV
Plaek V
Plaek VI
1952 Plaek VII
Seri Manangkhasila
(from 1955)
Feb
1957
Plaek VIII
Sarit Thanarat in 1950s.jpg Sarit Thanarat
สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์
(1908–1963)
De Facto Prime Minister
September 16
1957
September 21
1957
5 days Military Revolutionary Council
9 พจน์ สารสิน.jpg Pote Sarasin
พจน์ สารสิน
(1905–2000)
September 21
1957
January 1
1958
102 days Independent Pote
10 Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn.jpg Thanom Kittikachorn
ถนอม กิตติขจร
(1911–2004)
January 1
1958
October 20
1958
292 days Dec
1957
National Socialist Thanom I
11 Sarit Thanarat portrait.jpg Sarit Thanarat
สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์
(1908–1963)
October 20
1958
December 8
1963†
5 years, 49 days Military Revolutionary Council
Sarit
(10) Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn.jpg Thanom Kittikachorn
ถนอม กิตติขจร
(1911–2004)
December 9
1963
October 14
1973
9 years, 309 days Military
(until 1968)
Thanom II
United Thai People
(1968–1971)
1969 Thanom III
Military
(from 1971)
Executive Council
Thanom IV
12 สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์.jpg Sanya Dharmasakti
สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์
(1907–2002)
October 14
1973
February 15
1975
1 year, 124 days Independent Sanya I
Sanya II
(6) Prime Minister Seni Pramoj.jpg Mom Rajawongse
Seni Pramoj
หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช
(1905–1997)
February 15
1975
March 14
1975
27 days 1975 Democrat Seni II
13 คีกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช.jpg Mom Rajawongse
Kukrit Pramoj
หม่อมราชวงศ์คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช
(1911–1995)
March 14
1975
April 20
1976
1 year, 37 days Social Action Kukrit
(6) Prime Minister Seni Pramoj.jpg Mom Rajawongse
Seni Pramoj
หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช
(1905–1997)
April 20
1976
October 6
1976
169 days 1976 Democrat Seni III
Seni IV
สงัด ชลออยู่.jpg Sangad Chaloryu
สงัด ชลออยู่
(1915–1980)
De Facto Prime Minister
October 6
1976
October 8
1976
2 days Military Administrative Reform Council
14 Thanin and Whitehouse (cropped).jpg Thanin Kraivichien
ธานินทร์ กรัยวิเชียร
(1927–2025)
October 8
1976
October 20
1977
1 year, 12 days Independent Thanin
สงัด ชลออยู่.jpg Sangad Chaloryu
สงัด ชลออยู่
(1915–1980)
De Facto Prime Minister
October 20
1977
November 11
1977
22 days Military Revolutionary Council
15 Kriangsak Chomanan 1976 (cropped).jpg Kriangsak Chamanan
เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันท์
(1917–2003)
November 11
1977
March 3
1980
2 years, 113 days Military
(until 1978)
Kriangsak I
Independent
(from 1978)
1979 Kriangsak II
16 Prem Tinsulanonda 1984.jpg Prem Tinsulanonda
เปรม ติณสูลานนท์
(1920–2019)
March 3
1980
August 4
1988
8 years, 154 days Military
(until 1981)
Prem I
Independent
(from 1981)
1983 Prem II
1986 Prem III
17 Chatichai Choonhavan 1976.jpg Chatichai Choonhavan
ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ
(1920–1998)
August 4
1988
February 23
1991
2 years, 203 days 1988 Thai Nation Chatichai I
Chatichai II
GEN Sunthorn Kongsompong (1990).jpg Sunthorn Kongsompong
สุนทร คงสมพงษ์
(1931–1999)
De Facto Prime Minister
February 23
1991
March 2
1991
7 days Military National Peace Keeping Council
18 Anand Panyarachun (cropped).jpg Anand Panyarachun
อานันท์ ปันยารชุน
(born 1932)
March 2
1991
April 7
1992
1 year, 36 days Independent Anand I
19 Suchinda Kraprayoon early 1970s.jpg Suchinda Kraprayoon
สุจินดา คราประยูร
(1933–2025)
April 7
1992
May 24
1992
47 days Mar
1992
Independent Suchinda
Seal of the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand.svg Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
Acting Prime Minister
May 24
1992
June 10
1992
17 days Independent
(18) Anand Panyarachun (cropped).jpg Anand Panyarachun
อานันท์ ปันยารชุน
(born 1932)
June 10
1992
September 23
1992
105 days Independent Anand II
20 Chuan Leekpai 1999 cropped.jpg Chuan Leekpai
ชวน หลีกภัย
(born 1938)
September 23
1992
July 13
1995
2 years, 293 days Sep
1992
Democrat Chuan I
21 Banharn Silpa-archa (cropped).jpg Banharn Silpa-archa
บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา
(1932–2016)
July 13
1995
November 25
1996
1 year, 135 days 1995 Thai Nation Banharn
22 Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.jpg Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ
(born 1932)
November 25
1996
November 9
1997
349 days 1996 New Aspiration Chavalit
(20) Chuan Leekpai 1999 cropped.jpg Chuan Leekpai
ชวน หลีกภัย
(born 1938)
November 9
1997
February 9
2001
3 years, 92 days Democrat Chuan II
23 Thaksin DOD 20050915 (crop).jpg Thaksin Shinawatra
ทักษิณ ชินวัตร
(born 1949)
February 9
2001
September 19
2006
5 years, 222 days 2001 Thai Rak Thai Thaksin I
2005 Thaksin II
Sonthi Boonyaratglin (cropped).png Sonthi Boonyaratglin
สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน
(born 1946)
De Facto Prime Minister
September 19
2006
October 1
2006
12 days Military Council for Democratic Reform
24 The Union Minister of External Affairs, Shri Pranab Mukherjee meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. General Surayud Chulanont, in New Delhi on June 26, 2007 (cropped).jpg Surayud Chulanont
สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์
(born 1943)
October 1
2006
January 29
2008
1 year, 120 days Independent Surayud
25 Samak Sundaravej.JPG Samak Sundaravej
สมัคร สุนทรเวช
(1935–2009)
January 29
2008
September 9
2008
224 days 2007 People's Power Samak
26 The Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Somchai Wangsawat meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on November 13, 2008 (cropped) (cropped).jpg Somchai Wongsawat
สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์
(born 1947)
September 9
2008
December 2
2008
84 days People's Power
Somchai
Chaovarat Chanweerakul (cropped).jpg Chavarat Charnvirakul
ชวรัตน์ ชาญวีรกูล
(born 1936)
Acting Prime Minister
December 2
2008
December 17
2008
15 days Independent
27 Abhisit Vejjajiva 2009 official.jpg Abhisit Vejjajiva
อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ
(born 1964)
December 17
2008
August 5
2011
2 years, 231 days Democrat Abhisit
28 9153ri-Yingluck Shinawatra.jpg Yingluck Shinawatra
ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร
(born 1967)
August 5
2011
May 7
2014
2 years, 275 days 2011 Pheu Thai Yingluck
Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan at Ministerial Conference 2013 crop.jpg Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan
นิวัฒน์ธำรง บุญทรงไพศาล
(born 1948)
Acting Prime Minister
May 7
2014
May 22
2014
15 days Pheu Thai
29 Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Enthronement of Naruhito (1).jpg Prayut Chan-o-cha
ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา
(born 1954)
May 22
2014
August 24
2022
8 years, 94 days Military
(until 2014)
National Council for Peace and Order
Prayut I
Independent
(from 2014)
Vajiralongkorn
King Rama X official (crop).png
r. 2016 – present
(Rama X)
2019 Prayut II
Prawit Wongsuwan (2018) cropped.jpg Prawit Wongsuwon
ประวิตร วงษ์สุวรรณ
(born 1945)
Acting Prime Minister
August 24
2022
September 30
2022
37 days Palang Pracharath
(29) Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Enthronement of Naruhito (1).jpg Prayut Chan-o-cha
ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา
(born 1954)
September 30
2022
August 22
2023
326 days Independent
(until 2023)
United Thai Nation
(2023)
Independent
(from 2023)
30 PM Srettha Thavisin 2023 (cropped).jpg Srettha Thavisin
เศรษฐา ทวีสิน
(born 1962)
August 22
2023
August 14
2024
358 days 2023 Pheu Thai Srettha
Phumthum Wechayachai, 5 January 2024.jpg Phumtham Wechayachai
ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย
(born 1953)
Acting Prime Minister
August 14
2024
August 16
2024
2 days Pheu Thai
31 PM Paetongtarn of Thailand (2024) 01 (cropped) (cropped).jpg Paetongtarn Shinawatra
แพทองธาร ชินวัตร
(born 1986)
August 16
2024
Incumbent 357 days Pheu Thai Paetongtarn
Suriya Juangroongruangkit, 13 January 2023.jpg Suriya Juangroongruangkit
สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ
(born 1954)
Acting Prime Minister
July 1
2025
July 3
2025
2 days Pheu Thai
Phumtham Wechayachai 30 May 2025.jpg Phumtham Wechayachai
ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย
(born 1953)
Acting Prime Minister
July 3
2025
Incumbent 36 days Pheu Thai

Timeline of Prime Ministers

This timeline shows when each prime minister served. It also highlights the different political groups they belonged to.

Suriya Juangroongruangkit Paetongtarn Shinawatra Phumtham Wechayachai Srettha Thavisin Prawit Wongsuwon Prayut Chan-o-cha Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan Yingluck Shinawatra Abhisit Vejjajiva Chavarat Charnvirakul Somchai Wongsawat Samak Sundaravej Surayud Chulanont Sonthi Boonyaratglin Thaksin Shinawatra Chavalit Yongchaiyut Banharn Silpa-archa Chuan Leekpai Meechai Ruchuphan Suchinda Kraprayoon Anand Panyarachun Sunthorn Kongsompong Chatichai Choonhavan Prem Tinsulanonda Kriangsak Chamanan Thanin Kraivichien Sangad Chaloryu Kukrit Pramoj Sanya Dharmasakti Thanom Kittikachorn Pote Sarasin Sarit Thanarat Phin Choonhavan Thawan Thamrongnawasawat Pridi Banomyong Seni Pramoj Thawi Bunyaket Khuang Aphaiwong Plaek Phibunsongkhram Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada

Learn More About Thailand's Government

  • Prime Minister of Thailand
  • Constitution of Thailand
  • Government of Thailand
  • Office of the Prime Minister (Thailand)
  • Cabinet of Thailand
  • List of Samuhanayok

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Primer ministro de Tailandia para niños

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