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President of the National Assembly
Flag of the President of the National Assembly of Thailand.svg
Standard of the president of the National Assembly of Thailand
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha-2023-12-10.jpg
Incumbent
Wan Muhamad Noor Matha

since 5 July 2023
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; 93 years ago (1932-06-28)
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.

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 Thammasak Montree.jpg Chaophraya Thammasakmontri
เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี
(1877–1943)
28 June
1932
1 September
1932
Independent President of the People's Assembly
2 Dan Bunnak (2).jpg Chaophraya Phichaiyat
เจ้าพระยาพิชัยญาติ
(1875–1946)
2 September
1932
10 December
1933
Independent President of the People's Assembly
(1) Thammasak Montree.jpg Chaophraya Thammasakmontri
เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี
(1877–1943)
15 December
1933
26 February
1934
Independent President of the People's Assembly
3 สส-ศรยุทธเสนี.jpg Phraya Sorayuthaseni
พระยาศรยุทธเสนี
(1888–1962)
26 February
1934
22 September
1934
People's President of the People's Assembly
4 เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ (จิตร ณ สงขลา) ภาพจากอัสสัมชัญอุโฆษสมัย (1982).jpg Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet
เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ
(1885–1976)
22 September
1934
31 July
1936
Independent President of the People's Assembly
5 พระยามานวราชเสวี.jpg Phraya Manwaratchasewi
พระยามานวราชเสวี
(1890–1984)
3 August
1936
24 June
1943
Independent President of the People's Assembly
(3) สส-ศรยุทธเสนี.jpg Phraya Sorayuthaseni
พระยาศรยุทธเสนี
(1888–1962)
6 July
1943
24 June
1944
People's President of the People's Assembly
(5) พระยามานวราชเสวี.jpg Phraya Manwaratchasewi
พระยามานวราชเสวี
(1890–1984)
2 July
1944
9 May
1946
Independent President of the People's Assembly
6 วิลาส.jpg Vilas Osathanon
วิลาศ โอสถานนท์
(1899–1997)
4 June
1946
24 August
1946
People's President of the Senate
(3) สส-ศรยุทธเสนี.jpg Phraya Sorayuthaseni
พระยาศรยุทธเสนี
(1888–1962)
31 August
1946
9 November
1947
People's President of the Senate
(4) เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ (จิตร ณ สงขลา) ภาพจากอัสสัมชัญอุโฆษสมัย (1982).jpg Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet
เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ
(1885–1976)
26 November
1947
29 November
1951
Independent President of the Senate
7 สส-พระประจนปัจจนึก.jpg Phra Prachonpachanuk
พระประจนปัจจนึก
(1892–1970)
1 December
1951
16 September
1957
Independent Speaker of the House of Representatives
8 สุทธิ์ สุทธิสารรณกร.jpg Luang Sutthisanronnakon
หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร
(1901–1968)
20 September
1957
14 December
1957
Independent Speaker of the House of Representatives
(7) สส-พระประจนปัจจนึก.jpg Phra Prachonpachanuk
พระประจนปัจจนึก
(1892–1970)
27 December
1957
20 October
1958
Independent Speaker of the House of Representatives
(8) สุทธิ์ สุทธิสารรณกร.jpg Luang Sutthisanronnakon
หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร
(1901–1968)
6 February
1959
2 May
1968
Independent President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly
9 Tawee Boonyaket.jpg Thawi Bunyaket
ทวี บุณยเกตุ
(1904–1971)
8 May
1968
20 June
1968
Independent President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly
10 วรการบัญชา-สภาผู้แทนราษฎร.jpg Nai Vorkarnbancha
นายวรการบัญชา
(1903–1974)
22 July
1968
17 November
1971
Independent President of the Senate
11 สส-ศิริสิริโยธิน.jpg Siri Siriyothin
ศิริ สิริโยธิน
(1915–1979)
18 December
1972
11 December
1973
Independent President of the National Legislative Assembly
12 Kukrit Pramoj 1974 (cropped-1).jpg Kukrit Pramoj
คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช
(1911–1995)
29 December
1973
7 October
1974
Independent President of the National Legislative Assembly
13 ประภาศน์ อวยชัย.jpg Praphas Ouchai
ประภาศน์ อวยชัย
(1924–2017)
17 October
1974
25 January
1975
Independent President of the National Legislative Assembly
14 Prasit Kanchanawat.jpg Prasit Kanchanawat
ประสิทธิ์ กาญจนวัฒน์
(1915–1999)
7 February
1975
12 January
1976
Social Nationalist Speaker of the House of Representatives
Chitti Tingsabadh.jpg Chitti Tingsabadh
จิตติ ติงศภัทิย์
(1908–1995)
Acting
12 January
1976
19 April
1976
Independent President of the Senate
15 Uthai Pimchaichon 2004 (cropped).jpg Uthai Pimjaichon
อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน
(born 1938)
19 April
1976
6 October
1976
Democrat Speaker of the House of Representatives
16 Kamol Dechatungka 1949.jpg Kamol Dechatungka
กมล เดชะตุงคะ
(1917–2002)
22 October
1976
20 November
1976
Independent President of the National Administrative Reform Council
17 หะริน หงสกุล (ตัด).jpg 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.jpg Charubud Ruengsuwan
จารุบุตร เรืองสุวรรณ
(1920–1984)
26 April
1983
19 March
1984
Independent President of the Senate
Uthai Pimchaichon 2004 (cropped).jpg Uthai Pimjaichon
อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน
(born 1938)
Acting
19 March
1984
30 April
1984
Progress Speaker of the House of Representatives
19 Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Ukrit Mongkolnavin
อุกฤษ มงคลนาวิน
(born 1933)
30 April
1984
21 April
1989
Independent President of the Senate
Panja Kesornthong.jpg Panja Kesornthong
ปัญจะ เกสรทอง
(born 1946)
Acting
21 April
1989
4 May
1989
Thai Nation Speaker of the House of Representatives
20 Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Wan Chansue
วรรณ ชันซื่อ
(1923–2015)
4 May
1989
23 February
1991
Independent President of the Senate
(19) Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg 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
อาทิตย์ อุไรรัตน์.jpg Arthit Ourairat
อาทิตย์ อุไรรัตน์
(born 1938)
Acting
26 May
1992
28 June
1992
Justice Unity Speaker of the House of Representatives
21 Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
28 June
1992
22 September
1992
Independent President of the Senate
22 ประมวลภาพ "งานทำบุญครบรอบ ๖๖ ปี" ของการก่อตั้งพรรคประชาธิปัตย์ 06.jpg Marut Bunnag
มารุต บุนนาค
(1924–2022)
22 September
1992
19 May
1995
Democrat Speaker of the House of Representatives
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
Acting
19 May
1995
11 July
1995
Independent President of the Senate
23 Bun-er Pasertsuwan.jpg Booneua Prasertsuwan
บุญเอื้อ ประเสริฐสุวรรณ
(1919–2016)
11 July
1995
27 September
1996
Thai Nation Speaker of the House of Representatives
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
Acting
27 September
1996
24 November
1996
Independent President of the Senate
24 Wan Muhamad Noor Matha - 20230727.jpg 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 2010-04-01.jpg Bhichai Rattakul
พิชัย รัตตกุล
(1924–2022)
30 June
2000
9 November
2000
Democrat Speaker of the House of Representatives
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Sanit Vorapanya
สนิท วรปัญญา
(born 1939)
Acting
9 November
2000
6 February
2001
Independent President of the Senate
(15) Uthai Pimchaichon 2004 (cropped).jpg Uthai Pimjaichon
อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน
(born 1938)
6 February
2001
5 January
2005
Thai Rak Thai Speaker of the House of Representatives
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Suchon Chaleekure
สุชน ชาลีเครือ
(born 1933)
Acting
5 January
2005
8 March
2005
Independent President of the Senate
26 โภคิน พลกุล 2020.jpg Pokin Palakul
โภคิน พลกุล
(born 1952)
8 March
2005
24 February
2006
Thai Rak Thai Speaker of the House of Representatives
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Suchon Chaleekure
สุชน ชาลีเครือ
(born 1933)
Acting
24 February
2006
19 September
2006
Independent President of the Senate
(21) Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
25 October
2006
24 January
2008
Independent President of the National Legislative Assembly
27 Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Yongyuth Tiyapairat
ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช
(born 1961)
24 January
2008
30 April
2008
People's Power Speaker of the House of Representatives
Prasopsuk Bundech 2009 (cropped).jpg Prasopsuk Bundech
ประสพสุข บุญเดช
(born 1945)
Acting
30 April
2008
15 May
2008
Independent President of the Senate
28 ชัย ชิดชอบ 2011.jpg 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)
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg Teeradej Meepien
ธีรเดช มีเพียร
(born 1940)
Acting
10 May
2011
3 August
2011
Independent President of the Senate
29 ประชุมสถาบันพระปกเกล้า 3 (cropped).jpg Somsak Kiatsuranont
สมศักดิ์ เกียรติสุรนนท์
(born 1954)
3 August
2011
9 December
2013
Pheu Thai Speaker of the House of Representatives
Nikom Wairatpanij Senate of Poland.JPG Nikom Wairatpanij
นิคม ไวยรัชพานิช
(born 1947)
Acting
9 December
2013
20 March
2014
Independent President of the Senate
สุรชัย เลี้ยงบุญเลิศชัย 2 (ครอบตัด).jpg Surachai Leangboonleodchai
สุรชัย เลี้ยงบุญเลิศชัย
(born 1953)
Acting
21 March
2014
24 May
2014
Independent Acting President of the Senate
30 นายพรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย ประธานวุฒิสภา Photographed by Peak Hora 02 (cropped).jpg Pornpetch Wichitcholchai
พรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย
(born 1948)
17 August
2014
21 May
2019
Independent President of the National Legislative Assembly
31 Chuan Leekpai 2010-04-01.jpg Chuan Leekpai
ชวน หลีกภัย
(born 1938)
28 May
2019
20 March
2023
Democrat Speaker of the House of Representatives
นายพรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย ประธานวุฒิสภา Photographed by Peak Hora 02 (cropped).jpg Pornpetch Wichitcholchai
พรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย
(born 1948)

Acting
20 March
2023
5 July
2023
Independent President of the Senate
(24) Wan Muhamad Noor Matha - 20230727.jpg Wan Muhamad Noor Matha
วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา
(born 1944)
5 July
2023
Incumbent Prachachart Speaker of the House of Representatives


See also

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