President of the National Assembly of Thailand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids President of the National Assembly |
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![]() Standard of the president of the National Assembly of Thailand
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![]() Seal of the Parliament of Thailand
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National Assembly | |
Style | Mr. President / Than Prathan Thi Khao Rop |
Member of | National Assembly House of Representatives |
Seat | Sappaya-Sapasathan |
Nominator | Vote within the House of Representatives |
Appointer | Monarch by royal command |
Term length | According to the term of the House of Representatives |
Constituting instrument | Constitution of Thailand |
Inaugural holder | Chaophraya Thammasakmontri |
Formation | 28 June 1932 |
Deputy | Vice President of the National Assembly |
Salary | ฿75,590 monthly |
The President of the National Assembly (Prathan Ratthasapha) is the main leader of Thailand's National Assembly. Think of them as the chief speaker for the entire law-making body. Since 1992, this job has usually been held by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand. This means the President is also a Member of Parliament, often from the political party that has the most seats in the House of Representatives.
The President is chosen right after a new election, when the House of Representatives first meets. There is no limit to how many times someone can be elected to this role. After a big change in government in 2014, a new group called the National Legislative Assembly took over. Its leader, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, became the President of the National Assembly. This continued until Wan Muhamad Noor Matha was elected Speaker of the House in 2023.
The role of President of the National Assembly began in 1932. This was when Thailand's first law-making body was created. The very first person to hold this important position was Chaophraya Thammasakmontri.
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What the President Does
The President of the National Assembly has many important duties. They are the main representative and leader of the part of the government that makes laws. The Vice President of the National Assembly helps them. This Vice President is usually the leader of the Senate.
Main Duties as President
- They approve the King's choices for important roles, like the head of the Privy Council (a group of advisors to the King) and the person who acts as King if the King is away.
- They also approve changes to the rules about who becomes King next.
- They invite the person who is next in line to the throne to become King.
- They make sure all votes in the Assembly are properly recorded.
- They can ask the King to call special meetings of the Assembly if needed.
Main Duties as Speaker
The Speaker of the House of Representatives is the main leader of the House. They make sure that all the steps for making new laws are followed correctly. Two Deputy Speakers help the Speaker. The Speaker and their deputies must be fair in all matters. They cannot be part of a political party's main leadership team.
- They help fill empty seats for Members of Parliament who were chosen from party lists.
- They officially present the name of the chosen Prime Minister to the King for approval.
- They approve the King's choice for the Leader of the Opposition.
- They are automatically part of committees that choose important officials, such as:
- Judges for the Constitutional Court.
- Members of the Election Commission.
- People who handle complaints from the public (Ombudsmen).
- Members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Past Presidents of the National Assembly
The role of President of the National Assembly has been held by different types of leaders over time. Sometimes it was the head of the House of Representatives, sometimes the head of the Senate, or even the head of a special law-making group. Since 1992, it has usually been the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Party | Position | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | ||||||
1 | ![]() |
Chaophraya Thammasakmontri เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี (1877–1943) |
28 June 1932 |
1 September 1932 |
Independent | President of the People's Assembly | |
2 | ![]() |
Chaophraya Phichaiyat เจ้าพระยาพิชัยญาติ (1875–1946) |
2 September 1932 |
10 December 1933 |
Independent | President of the People's Assembly | |
(1) | ![]() |
Chaophraya Thammasakmontri เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี (1877–1943) |
15 December 1933 |
26 February 1934 |
Independent | President of the People's Assembly | |
3 | ![]() |
Phraya Sorayuthaseni พระยาศรยุทธเสนี (1888–1962) |
26 February 1934 |
22 September 1934 |
People's | President of the People's Assembly | |
4 | ![]() |
Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ (1885–1976) |
22 September 1934 |
31 July 1936 |
Independent | President of the People's Assembly | |
5 | ![]() |
Phraya Manwaratchasewi พระยามานวราชเสวี (1890–1984) |
3 August 1936 |
24 June 1943 |
Independent | President of the People's Assembly | |
(3) | ![]() |
Phraya Sorayuthaseni พระยาศรยุทธเสนี (1888–1962) |
6 July 1943 |
24 June 1944 |
People's | President of the People's Assembly | |
(5) | ![]() |
Phraya Manwaratchasewi พระยามานวราชเสวี (1890–1984) |
2 July 1944 |
9 May 1946 |
Independent | President of the People's Assembly | |
6 | ![]() |
Vilas Osathanon วิลาศ โอสถานนท์ (1899–1997) |
4 June 1946 |
24 August 1946 |
People's | President of the Senate | |
(3) | ![]() |
Phraya Sorayuthaseni พระยาศรยุทธเสนี (1888–1962) |
31 August 1946 |
9 November 1947 |
People's | President of the Senate | |
(4) | ![]() |
Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ (1885–1976) |
26 November 1947 |
29 November 1951 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
7 | ![]() |
Phra Prachonpachanuk พระประจนปัจจนึก (1892–1970) |
1 December 1951 |
16 September 1957 |
Independent | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
8 | ![]() |
Luang Sutthisanronnakon หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร (1901–1968) |
20 September 1957 |
14 December 1957 |
Independent | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
(7) | ![]() |
Phra Prachonpachanuk พระประจนปัจจนึก (1892–1970) |
27 December 1957 |
20 October 1958 |
Independent | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
(8) | ![]() |
Luang Sutthisanronnakon หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร (1901–1968) |
6 February 1959 |
2 May 1968 |
Independent | President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly | |
9 | ![]() |
Thawi Bunyaket ทวี บุณยเกตุ (1904–1971) |
8 May 1968 |
20 June 1968 |
Independent | President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly | |
10 | ![]() |
Nai Vorkarnbancha นายวรการบัญชา (1903–1974) |
22 July 1968 |
17 November 1971 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
11 | ![]() |
Siri Siriyothin ศิริ สิริโยธิน (1915–1979) |
18 December 1972 |
11 December 1973 |
Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
12 | ![]() |
Kukrit Pramoj คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช (1911–1995) |
29 December 1973 |
7 October 1974 |
Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
13 | ![]() |
Praphas Ouchai ประภาศน์ อวยชัย (1924–2017) |
17 October 1974 |
25 January 1975 |
Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
14 | ![]() |
Prasit Kanchanawat ประสิทธิ์ กาญจนวัฒน์ (1915–1999) |
7 February 1975 |
12 January 1976 |
Social Nationalist | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | ![]() |
Chitti Tingsabadh จิตติ ติงศภัทิย์ (1908–1995) Acting |
12 January 1976 |
19 April 1976 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
15 | ![]() |
Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938) |
19 April 1976 |
6 October 1976 |
Democrat | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
16 | ![]() |
Kamol Dechatungka กมล เดชะตุงคะ (1917–2002) |
22 October 1976 |
20 November 1976 |
Independent | President of the National Administrative Reform Council | |
17 | ![]() |
Harin Hongsakul หะริน หงสกุล (1914–2008) |
28 November 1976 |
20 October 1977 |
Independent | President of the National Administrative Reform Council | |
25 November 1977 |
20 April 1979 |
President of the National Legislative Assembly | |||||
9 May 1979 |
19 March 1983 |
President of the Senate | |||||
18 | ![]() |
Charubud Ruengsuwan จารุบุตร เรืองสุวรรณ (1920–1984) |
26 April 1983 |
19 March 1984 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
— | ![]() |
Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938) Acting |
19 March 1984 |
30 April 1984 |
Progress | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
19 | ![]() |
Ukrit Mongkolnavin อุกฤษ มงคลนาวิน (born 1933) |
30 April 1984 |
21 April 1989 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
— | ![]() |
Panja Kesornthong ปัญจะ เกสรทอง (born 1946) Acting |
21 April 1989 |
4 May 1989 |
Thai Nation | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
20 | ![]() |
Wan Chansue วรรณ ชันซื่อ (1923–2015) |
4 May 1989 |
23 February 1991 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
(19) | ![]() |
Ukrit Mongkolnavin อุกฤษ มงคลนาวิน (born 1933) |
2 April 1991 |
21 March 1992 |
Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
3 April 1992 |
26 May 1992 |
President of the Senate | |||||
— | ![]() |
Arthit Ourairat อาทิตย์ อุไรรัตน์ (born 1938) Acting |
26 May 1992 |
28 June 1992 |
Justice Unity | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
21 | ![]() |
Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) |
28 June 1992 |
22 September 1992 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
22 | ![]() |
Marut Bunnag มารุต บุนนาค (1924–2022) |
22 September 1992 |
19 May 1995 |
Democrat | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | ![]() |
Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) Acting |
19 May 1995 |
11 July 1995 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
23 | ![]() |
Booneua Prasertsuwan บุญเอื้อ ประเสริฐสุวรรณ (1919–2016) |
11 July 1995 |
27 September 1996 |
Thai Nation | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | ![]() |
Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) Acting |
27 September 1996 |
24 November 1996 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
24 | ![]() |
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา (born 1944) |
24 November 1996 |
27 June 2000 |
New Aspiration | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
25 | ![]() |
Bhichai Rattakul พิชัย รัตตกุล (1924–2022) |
30 June 2000 |
9 November 2000 |
Democrat | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | ![]() |
Sanit Vorapanya สนิท วรปัญญา (born 1939) Acting |
9 November 2000 |
6 February 2001 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
(15) | ![]() |
Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938) |
6 February 2001 |
5 January 2005 |
Thai Rak Thai | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | ![]() |
Suchon Chaleekure สุชน ชาลีเครือ (born 1933) Acting |
5 January 2005 |
8 March 2005 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
26 | ![]() |
Pokin Palakul โภคิน พลกุล (born 1952) |
8 March 2005 |
24 February 2006 |
Thai Rak Thai | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | ![]() |
Suchon Chaleekure สุชน ชาลีเครือ (born 1933) Acting |
24 February 2006 |
19 September 2006 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
(21) | ![]() |
Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) |
25 October 2006 |
24 January 2008 |
Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
27 | ![]() |
Yongyuth Tiyapairat ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช (born 1961) |
24 January 2008 |
30 April 2008 |
People's Power | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | ![]() |
Prasopsuk Bundech ประสพสุข บุญเดช (born 1945) Acting |
30 April 2008 |
15 May 2008 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
28 | ![]() |
Chai Chidchob ชัย ชิดชอบ (1928–2020) |
15 May 2008 |
10 May 2011 |
People's Power (until 2008) |
Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
Bhumjaithai (from 2008) |
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— | ![]() |
Teeradej Meepien ธีรเดช มีเพียร (born 1940) Acting |
10 May 2011 |
3 August 2011 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
29 | ![]() |
Somsak Kiatsuranont สมศักดิ์ เกียรติสุรนนท์ (born 1954) |
3 August 2011 |
9 December 2013 |
Pheu Thai | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | Nikom Wairatpanij นิคม ไวยรัชพานิช (born 1947) Acting |
9 December 2013 |
20 March 2014 |
Independent | President of the Senate | ||
— | ![]() |
Surachai Leangboonleodchai สุรชัย เลี้ยงบุญเลิศชัย (born 1953) Acting |
21 March 2014 |
24 May 2014 |
Independent | Acting President of the Senate | |
30 | ![]() |
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai พรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย (born 1948) |
17 August 2014 |
21 May 2019 |
Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
31 | ![]() |
Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938) |
28 May 2019 |
20 March 2023 |
Democrat | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
— | ![]() |
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai พรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย (born 1948) Acting |
20 March 2023 |
5 July 2023 |
Independent | President of the Senate | |
(24) | ![]() |
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา (born 1944) |
5 July 2023 |
Incumbent | Prachachart | Speaker of the House of Representatives |