President of the National Assembly of Thailand

President of the National Assembly
ประธานรัฐสภา
Seal of the Parliament of Thailand
Standard of the president of the National Assembly of Thailand
since 5 July 2023
National Assembly
StyleMr. President / Than Prathan Thi Khao Rop
StatusPresiding officer
Member ofNational Assembly
House of Representatives
SeatSappaya-Sapasathan
NominatorVote within the House of Representatives
AppointerMonarch
Term lengthAccording to the term of the House of Representatives
Constituting instrumentConstitution of Thailand
Inaugural holderChaophraya Thammasakmontri
Formation28 June 1932; 92 years ago (1932-06-28)
DeputyVice President of the National Assembly
Salary฿75,590 monthly[1]

The president of the National Assembly (Thai: ประธานรัฐสภา, RTGSPrathan Ratthasapha, pronounced [prā.tʰāːn rát.tʰā.sā.pʰāː]) is the presiding officer (speaker) of the National Assembly of Thailand. Since 1992, the office has been an ex officio position occupied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand. The president is therefore an MP, usually from the majority party in the House of Representatives. The president is elected at the beginning of a House session immediately after an election, there are no term limits for the office. In the aftermath of the coup d'état in 2014, the function of legislative assembly was turned over to the junta-controlled National Legislative Assembly, which Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, President of the National Legislative Assembly, occupied the ex officio position of President of the National Assembly until the election of Wan Muhamad Noor Matha as Speaker of the House in 2023.

The office of the president of the National Assembly was first established in 1932, with the establishment of the first legislature of Thailand. The office of the president of the People's Assembly of Siam was first occupied by Chaophraya Thammasakmontri (Sanan Thephasadin na Ayutthaya).

Powers and functions

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As president

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The president of the National Assembly, apart from being the presiding officer of the National Assembly whenever there is a joint-sitting, is also the chief representative and leader of the legislative branch in Thailand. In the 2007 constitution the president of the National Assembly is given many powers. The President is assisted by the Vice President of the National Assembly, another ex officio position occupied by the president of the Senate.

  • Countersign the King's appointment and removal of the president of the Privy Council and Regent of Thailand.
  • Countersign the Royal Command for the amendment of the 1924 Palace Law of Succession.
  • Inviting the Heir to ascend the Throne.
  • Ensure all votes in the Assembly is recorded.
  • Asking the Monarch to convoke an extraordinary session of the Assembly.

As speaker

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The speaker of the House of Representatives is the chief presiding officer of the House of Representatives. The speaker is also entrusted with some legislative powers, as it is his main role to ensure all the legislative process is followed. The speaker is assisted by two Deputy Speakers. The Speaker must act impartially on all matters and therefore cannot be a member of an executive committee of a political party, this also apply to his deputies.

List of presidents

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Note: According to the 2007 Constitution of Thailand the office of President of the National Assembly of Thailand is held as an ex officio position by the speaker of the House of Representatives. However throughout Thailand's long constitutional history this has not always been the case, at certain times the office of 'President' of the legislature was sometimes held by the presiding officer of the upper house or that of a unicameral chamber.

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
29 June
1992
Independent President of the Senate
30 June
1992
22 September
1992
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)
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
20 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

See also

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References

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  1. ^ พระราชกฤษฎีกา เงินประจำตำแหน่งและประโยชน์ตอบแทนอย่างอื่นของประธานและรองประธานสภาผู้แทนราษฎร ประธานและรองประธานวุฒิสภา ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านในสภาผู้แทนราษฎร สมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎร สมาชิกวุฒิสภา และกรรมาธิการ พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๕ (PDF). senate.go.th (in Thai). Retrieved 25 March 2022.