Prime Minister of Thailand facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand |
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Prime Ministerial Standard
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Prime Ministerial Seal
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| Style |
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| Member of |
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| Reports to | |
| Residence | Phitsanulok Mansion |
| Seat | Government House |
| Nominator | Speaker of the House of Representatives (By a majority vote of the House of Representatives) |
| Appointer | Monarch by royal command |
| Term length | Four years, renewable once, no more than eight years in total |
| Constituting instrument | Constitution of Thailand |
| Formation | 28 June 1932 |
| First holder | Manopakorn Nitithada |
| Deputy | Deputy Prime Minister |
| Salary | ฿125,590 per month ($3,676 USD) |
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The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government for the country. This means they are the main leader of the government. The Prime Minister also leads the Cabinet of Thailand, which is a group of top government officials.
This important job started in 1932. This was after a big change in Thailand, when the country became a constitutional monarchy. This means the King is still the head of state, but the government is run by elected officials. The Prime Minister is chosen by a vote in the House of Representatives. Then, the King of Thailand officially appoints them.
The Prime Minister can serve for a maximum of eight years. This can be over several terms or one long term. The current Prime Minister is Paetongtarn Shinawatra. She took office on August 16, 2024.
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History of the Prime Minister Role
The role of Prime Minister began in 1932. Before this, Thailand was ruled by kings who had all the power. They were both the head of state and the government.
However, even before 1932, some people had very important roles in the government. These roles were similar to what a head of government does today.
First Prime Minister
The first Prime Minister of Siam (which was Thailand's name back then) was Phraya Manopakorn Nititada. He was a judge. The name of the job changed from "Prime Minister of Siam" to "Prime Minister of Thailand" in 1945. This happened when the country's name officially changed to Thailand.
Many Prime Ministers in Thailand's history have been military leaders. Sixteen out of thirty Prime Ministers have come from the Army. The longest-serving Prime Minister was Plaek Phibunsongkhram. He served for almost 15 years! The shortest-serving Prime Minister was Thawi Bunyaket, who served for only 18 days.
Thailand got its first female Prime Minister, Yingluck Shinawatra, in 2011. The youngest person to become Prime Minister is Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who was 37 years old when she took office.
Term Limits for Prime Ministers
The current rules, from the 2017 Constitution, say that a Prime Minister cannot hold the job for more than eight years. This limit applies whether they serve those years in a row or at different times. This rule helps make sure that power is shared and no one person stays in charge for too long.
How a Prime Minister is Chosen
To become Prime Minister, a person must first be a member of the House of Representatives. This means they must meet the same requirements as any other member of the House.
The person who wants to be Prime Minister needs the support of many members of the House of Representatives. After they get enough support, the House votes. If they get a simple majority (more than half the votes), they are chosen. This choice is then sent to the King, who officially appoints them.
Usually, the person chosen as Prime Minister is the leader of the political party that won the most seats in the election. Or, they might be the leader of a group of parties that have joined together to form a majority.
What the Prime Minister Does
The Prime Minister is like the captain of a team. They lead the Cabinet of Thailand, which is made up of different ministers. These ministers are in charge of different parts of the government, like education or health. The Prime Minister helps choose these ministers and can also remove them.
As the leader of the government, the Prime Minister is responsible for how well the government works. They also represent Thailand to other countries. They are the main spokesperson for the government at home.
Within 15 days of becoming Prime Minister, they must tell the National Assembly (which includes the House of Representatives and the Senate) what the government's plans are.
The Prime Minister is also directly in charge of several important government offices. These include groups that handle national security, the country's budget, and public services. Any new laws about money that are suggested in the National Assembly need the Prime Minister's approval.
Removing a Prime Minister
A Prime Minister can be removed from office through a "vote of no confidence." This happens if a group of members in the House of Representatives believes the Prime Minister is not doing a good job. They can ask for a debate and a vote. If more than half the members vote against the Prime Minister, they can be removed.
Where the Prime Minister Works and Lives
The Prime Minister gets help from the Office of the Prime Minister. This office is like a special department that supports the Prime Minister's work. It is usually led by two other ministers.
The main place where the Prime Minister works is the Government House of Thailand. This building is in the Dusit area of Bangkok, the capital city.
The official home for the Prime Minister is the Phitsanulok Mansion. This beautiful house is also in the center of Bangkok. It was built a long time ago, during the reign of King Vajiravudh. It became an official residence in 1979. Some people say the mansion has ghosts, so many Prime Ministers choose to live in their own homes and only use the mansion for official events.
Deputy Prime Ministers
The Prime Minister can appoint several Deputy Prime Ministers. These people help the Prime Minister with their duties. Sometimes, a Deputy Prime Minister also has another job, like being in charge of a specific government ministry.
List of Prime Ministers
Images for kids
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Flag of the prime minister of Thailand 1936–1939
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Flag of the prime minister of Thailand 1939–1979
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Flag of the prime minister of Thailand 1979–present
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See also
- List of prime ministers of Thailand
- Constitution of Thailand
- Government of Thailand
- Office of the Prime Minister (Thailand)
- Cabinet of Thailand
