List of prime ministers of Thailand facts for kids

• Top left: Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada was Thailand's first Prime Minister.
• Top right: Plaek Phibunsongkhram served the longest as Prime Minister.
• Bottom left: Yingluck Shinawatra was the first woman to be Prime Minister of Thailand.
• Bottom right: Paetongtarn Shinawatra was the second woman and the youngest Prime Minister (at age 37).

The Prime Minister of Thailand is like the main leader of the Thai government. They are in charge of the country's daily operations and represent Thailand to other countries. Think of them as the head of the team that runs the country.

Currently, Phumtham Wechayachai is serving as the acting Prime Minister. He took on this role on 3 July 2025.

Understanding the Prime Minister of Thailand

A Look at History

The idea of a main leader in Thailand has been around for a long time. One important early role was called the Samuhanayok. This job started during the Ayutthaya Kingdom when the government became more organized.

How the Role Changed

The modern job of Prime Minister began after a big change in government in 1932. This was when Thailand (then called Siam) got its first constitution, which is a set of rules for how the country is run. Since then, many Prime Ministers have been leaders from the military, including high-ranking generals.

Paetongtarn Shinawatra, a leader of the Pheu Thai Party, served as Prime Minister from 16 August 2024 to 29 August 2025. She was a member of the Shinawatra political family. She was also the youngest person and the second woman to hold this important office.

Please note: This list includes leaders who took charge during times of military rule and those who served as acting Prime Ministers for a short time. The official government list might not count all of these leaders.

Leaders of Thailand: A List of Prime Ministers

Who's Who: Understanding the Colors

The colors in the table help us see which political group or party each Prime Minister belonged to.

• General Categories:
  •       Independent politician (12): These leaders did not belong to a specific political party.
  •       Military rule (7): These leaders were from the military.

• Older Political Parties (no longer active):
  • 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)

• Active 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 (Born–Died)	Time in Office			Election	Party		Government	Monarch Reign
			Started	Ended	Duration
1	Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada	Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada พระยามโนปกรณ์นิติธาดา (1884–1948)	28 June 1932	20 June 1933	357 days	—		Independent	Manopakorn I	Prajadhipok King Prajadhipok r. 1925 – 1935 (Rama VII)
						—			Manopakorn II
						—			Manopakorn III
2	Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena	Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena พระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา (1887–1947)	21 June 1933	16 December 1938	5 years, 178 days	—		Khana Ratsadon	Phahon I
						1933			Phahon II
						—			Phahon III
										Ananda Mahidol King Ananda Mahidol r. 1935 – 1946 (Rama VIII)
						1937			Phahon IV
						—			Phahon V
3	Plaek Phibunsongkhram	Plaek Phibunsongkhram แปลก พิบูลสงคราม (1897–1964)	16 December 1938	1 August 1944	5 years, 229 days	1938		Khana Ratsadon	Plaek I
						—			Plaek II
4	Khuang Aphaiwong	Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	1 August 1944	31 August 1945	1 year, 30 days	—		Khana Ratsadon	Khuang I
5	Thawi Bunyaket	Thawi Bunyaket ทวี บุณยเกตุ (1904–1971)	31 August 1945	17 September 1945	17 days	—		Khana Ratsadon	Thawi
6	Seni Pramoj	Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	17 September 1945	31 January 1946	136 days	—		Free Thai	Seni I
(4)	Khuang Aphaiwong	Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	31 January 1946	24 March 1946	52 days	Jan 1946		Khana Ratsadon	Khuang II
7	Pridi Banomyong	Pridi Banomyong ปรีดี พนมยงค์ (1900–1983)	24 March 1946	23 August 1946	152 days	—		Khana Ratsadon	Pridi I
										Bhumibol Adulyadej King Bhumibol Adulyadej r. 1946 – 2016 (Rama IX)
						—			Pridi II
8	Thawan Thamrongnawasawat	Thawan Thamrongnawasawat ถวัลย์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์ (1901–1988)	23 August 1946	8 November 1947	1 year, 79 days	Aug 1946		Constitutional Front	Thawan I
						—			Thawan II
—	Phin Choonhavan	Phin Choonhavan ผิน ชุณหะวัณ (1891–1973) Leader of the National Military Council	8 November 1947	10 November 1947	2 days	—		Military	National Military Council
(4)	Khuang Aphaiwong	Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	10 November 1947	8 April 1948	150 days	—		Democrat	Khuang III
						1948			Khuang IV
(3)	Plaek Phibunsongkhram	Plaek Phibunsongkhram แปลก พิบูลสงคราม (1897–1964)	8 April 1948	16 September 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	Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963) Leader of the Revolutionary Council	16 September 1957	21 September 1957	5 days	—		Military	Revolutionary Council
9	Pote Sarasin	Pote Sarasin พจน์ สารสิน (1905–2000)	21 September 1957	1 January 1958	102 days	—		Independent	Pote
10	Thanom Kittikachorn	Thanom Kittikachorn ถนอม กิตติขจร (1911–2004)	1 January 1958	20 October 1958	292 days	Dec 1957		National Socialist	Thanom I
11	Sarit Thanarat	Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	20 October 1958	8 December 1963	5 years, 49 days	—		Military	Revolutionary Council
						—			Sarit
(10)	Thanom Kittikachorn	Thanom Kittikachorn ถนอม กิตติขจร (1911–2004)	9 December 1963	14 October 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	Sanya Dharmasakti	Sanya Dharmasakti สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์ (1907–2002)	14 October 1973	15 February 1975	1 year, 124 days	—		Independent	Sanya I
						—			Sanya II
(6)	Seni Pramoj	Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	15 February 1975	14 March 1975	27 days	1975		Democrat	Seni II
13	Kukrit Pramoj	Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj หม่อมราชวงศ์คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช (1911–1995)	14 March 1975	20 April 1976	1 year, 37 days	—		Social Action	Kukrit
(6)	Seni Pramoj	Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	20 April 1976	6 October 1976	169 days	1976		Democrat	Seni III
						—			Seni IV
—	Sangad Chaloryu	Sangad Chaloryu สงัด ชลออยู่ (1915–1980) Leader of the National Administrative Reform Council	6 October 1976	8 October 1976	2 days	—		Military	Administrative Reform Council
14	Thanin Kraivichien	Thanin Kraivichien ธานินทร์ กรัยวิเชียร (1927–2025)	8 October 1976	20 October 1977	1 year, 12 days	—		Independent	Thanin
—	Sangad Chaloryu	Sangad Chaloryu สงัด ชลออยู่ (1915–1980) Leader of the Revolutionary Council	20 October 1977	11 November 1977	22 days	—		Military	Revolutionary Council
15	Kriangsak Chamanan	Kriangsak Chamanan เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันท์ (1917–2003)	11 November 1977	3 March 1980	2 years, 113 days	—		Military (until 1978)	Kriangsak I
								Independent (from 1978)
						1979			Kriangsak II
16	Prem Tinsulanonda	Prem Tinsulanonda เปรม ติณสูลานนท์ (1920–2019)	3 March 1980	4 August 1988	8 years, 154 days	—		Military (until 1981)	Prem I
								Independent (from 1981)
						1983			Prem II
						1986			Prem III
17	Chatichai Choonhavan	Chatichai Choonhavan ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ (1920–1998)	4 August 1988	23 February 1991	2 years, 203 days	1988		Thai Nation	Chatichai I
						—			Chatichai II
—	Sunthorn Kongsompong	Sunthorn Kongsompong สุนทร คงสมพงษ์ (1931–1999) Leader of the National Peace Keeping Council	23 February 1991	2 March 1991	7 days	—		Military	National Peace Keeping Council
18	Anand Panyarachun	Anand Panyarachun อานันท์ ปันยารชุน (born 1932)	2 March 1991	7 April 1992	1 year, 36 days	—		Independent	Anand I
19	Suchinda Kraprayoon	Suchinda Kraprayoon สุจินดา คราประยูร (1933–2025)	7 April 1992	24 May 1992	47 days	Mar 1992		Independent	Suchinda
—	Meechai Ruchuphan	Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) Acting Prime Minister	24 May 1992	10 June 1992	17 days	—		Independent
(18)	Anand Panyarachun	Anand Panyarachun อานันท์ ปันยารชุน (born 1932)	10 June 1992	23 September 1992	105 days	—		Independent	Anand II
20	Chuan Leekpai	Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938)	23 September 1992	13 July 1995	2 years, 293 days	Sep 1992		Democrat	Chuan I
21	Banharn Silpa-archa	Banharn Silpa-archa บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา (1932–2016)	13 July 1995	25 November 1996	1 year, 135 days	1995		Thai Nation	Banharn
22	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh	Chavalit Yongchaiyudh ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ (born 1932)	25 November 1996	9 November 1997	349 days	1996		New Aspiration	Chavalit
(20)	Chuan Leekpai	Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938)	9 November 1997	9 February 2001	3 years, 92 days	—		Democrat	Chuan II
23	Thaksin Shinawatra	Thaksin Shinawatra ทักษิณ ชินวัตร (born 1949)	9 February 2001	19 September 2006	5 years, 222 days	2001		Thai Rak Thai	Thaksin I
						2005			Thaksin II
—	Sonthi Boonyaratglin	Sonthi Boonyaratglin สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน (born 1946) Leader of the Council for Democratic Reform	19 September 2006	1 October 2006	12 days	—		Military	Council for Democratic Reform
24	Surayud Chulanont	Surayud Chulanont สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ (born 1943)	1 October 2006	29 January 2008	1 year, 120 days	—		Independent	Surayud
25	Samak Sundaravej	Samak Sundaravej สมัคร สุนทรเวช (1935–2009)	29 January 2008	9 September 2008	224 days	2007		People's Power	Samak
26	Somchai Wongsawat	Somchai Wongsawat สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ (born 1947)	9 September 2008	2 December 2008	84 days	—		People's Power
									Somchai
—	Chavarat Charnvirakul	Chavarat Charnvirakul ชวรัตน์ ชาญวีรกูล (born 1936) Acting Prime Minister	2 December 2008	17 December 2008	15 days	—		Independent
27	Abhisit Vejjajiva	Abhisit Vejjajiva อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ (born 1964)	17 December 2008	5 August 2011	2 years, 231 days	—		Democrat	Abhisit
28	Yingluck Shinawatra	Yingluck Shinawatra ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร (born 1967)	5 August 2011	7 May 2014	2 years, 275 days	2011		Pheu Thai	Yingluck
—	Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan	Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan นิวัฒน์ธำรง บุญทรงไพศาล (born 1948) Acting Prime Minister	7 May 2014	22 May 2014	15 days	—		Pheu Thai
29	Prayut Chan-o-cha	Prayut Chan-o-cha ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา (born 1954)	22 May 2014	22 August 2023	9 years, 92 days	—		Military (until 2014)	National Council for Peace and Order
						—			Prayut I
								Independent (2014–2023)
										Vajiralongkorn King Vajiralongkorn r. 2016 – present (Rama X)
						2019			Prayut II
								United Thai Nation (2023)
								Independent (from 2023)
—	Prawit Wongsuwon	Prawit Wongsuwon ประวิตร วงษ์สุวรรณ (born 1945) Acting Prime Minister	24 August 2022	30 September 2022	37 days	—		Palang Pracharath
30	Srettha Thavisin	Srettha Thavisin เศรษฐา ทวีสิน (born 1962)	22 August 2023	14 August 2024	358 days	2023		Pheu Thai	Srettha
—	Phumtham Wechayachai	Phumtham Wechayachai ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย (born 1953) Acting Prime Minister	14 August 2024	16 August 2024	2 days	—		Pheu Thai
31	Paetongtarn Shinawatra	Paetongtarn Shinawatra แพทองธาร ชินวัตร (born 1986)	16 August 2024	29 August 2025	1 year, 13 days	—		Pheu Thai	Paetongtarn
—	Suriya Juangroongruangkit	Suriya Juangroongruangkit สุริยะ จึงรุ่งเรืองกิจ (born 1954) Acting Prime Minister	1 July 2025	3 July 2025	2 days	—		Pheu Thai
—	Phumtham Wechayachai	Phumtham Wechayachai ภูมิธรรม เวชยชัย (born 1953) Acting Prime Minister	3 July 2025	Incumbent	65 days	—		Pheu Thai

Timeline of Thai Prime Ministers

See also

In Spanish: Primer ministro de Tailandia para niños

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