National Assembly of Thailand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids National Assemblyรัฐสภา Ratthasapha |
|
|---|---|
| 25th Parliament | |
 |
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
| History | |
| Founded | 28 June 1932 |
| Leadership | |
|
Vajiralongkorn
Since 13 October 2016 |
|
|
Chuan Leekpai, Democrat
Since 28 May 2019 |
|
| Structure | |
| Seats | 750 (500 MPs, 250 Senators) |
 |
|
|
House of Representatives political groups
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Government (260)
Opposition (240)
|
 |
|
|
Senate political groups
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Military (90) Police (14) Civilian (146) |
| Elections | |
|
House of Representatives last election
|
24 March 2019 |
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Senate last election
|
None (appointed) |
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House of Representatives next election
|
TBD |
|
Senate next election
|
TBD |
| Meeting place | |
 |
|
| Sappaya-Sapasathan | |
| Website | |
| www.parliament.go.th | |
The National Assembly of Thailand (NAT for short; Thai: รัฐสภา, Ratthasapha) is the main law-making body of the government in Thailand. It is a bicameral legislature. This means it has two separate parts or "houses."
The National Assembly was created in 1932. This happened after Thailand adopted its first constitution. Before this, Thailand was an absolute monarchy, where the king had all the power. The new constitution changed it to a constitutional monarchy. In this system, the king is still the head of state, but a constitution and elected bodies like the National Assembly make the laws.
Contents
What is the National Assembly?
The National Assembly is like a big team that makes rules for the country. It has two main groups:
- The House of Representatives
- The Senate
Together, these two groups have 750 members. The House of Representatives has 500 members, and the Senate has 250 members. These members work to represent the people of Thailand and create laws that help the country.
How are Members Chosen?
Members of the House of Representatives are chosen by the people of Thailand through elections. This means citizens get to vote for who they want to represent them.
Senators, who are part of the Senate, are chosen in a different way. They are not directly elected by the public. Instead, they are appointed, often by a special committee or the government.
Where Does the Assembly Meet?
The National Assembly meets in a special building called Sappaya-Sapasathan. This is where all the members come together to discuss new laws and important issues for Thailand. Before 2019, they met in the Parliament House of Thailand. The Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall was also an old meeting place. Now, it is mostly used for special events like the State Opening.
What Does the Assembly Do?
The main job of the National Assembly is to create, change, and approve laws for Thailand. They also:
- Check on how the government is doing its job.
- Approve the national budget, which is like the country's spending plan.
- Make sure the government follows the constitution.
This system helps ensure that the government is fair and works for the people.
Images for kids
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Parliament House of Thailand, where the House and Senate met from 1974 to 2019.
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Ananda Samakhom Throne Hall, the old meeting place of the National Assembly.
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Empty desks in the House of Representatives during a session.
See also
In Spanish: Asamblea Nacional de Tailandia para niños
