President of the National Assembly of Thailand explained

Post:President
Body:the National Assembly
Native Name:ประธานรัฐสภา
Insignia:Seal of the Parliament of Thailand.svg
Insigniasize:120px
Insigniacaption:Seal of the Parliament of Thailand
Flag:Flag of the President of the National Assembly of Thailand.svg
Flagsize:160px
Flagborder:yes
Flagcaption:Standard of the president of the National Assembly of Thailand
Incumbent:Wan Muhamad Noor Matha
Incumbentsince:5 July 2023
Style:Mr. President / Than Prathan Thi Khao Rop
Status:Presiding officer
Appointer:Monarch
Nominator:Vote within the House of Representatives
Department:National Assembly
Member Of:National Assembly
House of Representatives
Seat:Sappaya-Sapasathan
Constituting Instrument:Constitution of Thailand
Termlength:According to the term of the House of Representatives
Deputy:Vice President of the National Assembly
Inaugural:Chaophraya Thammasakmontri
Salary:฿75,590 monthly[1]

The president of the National Assembly (Thai: ประธานรัฐสภา,, in Thai pronounced as /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

As president

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.

As speaker

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

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.

See also: List of speakers of the House of Representatives of Thailand and List of presidents of the Senate of Thailand.

No.PortraitName
Term of officePartyPosition
1Chaophraya Thammasakmontri
เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี
(1877–1943)
28 June
1932
1 September
1932
IndependentPresident of the People's Assembly
2Chaophraya Phichaiyat
เจ้าพระยาพิชัยญาติ
(1875–1946)
2 September
1932
10 December
1933
IndependentPresident of the People's Assembly
(1)Chaophraya Thammasakmontri
เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี
(1877–1943)
15 December
1933
26 February
1934
IndependentPresident of the People's Assembly
3Phraya Sorayuthaseni
พระยาศรยุทธเสนี
(1888–1962)
26 February
1934
22 September
1934
People'sPresident of the People's Assembly
4Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet
เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ
(1885–1976)
22 September
1934
31 July
1936
IndependentPresident of the People's Assembly
5Phraya Manwaratchasewi
พระยามานวราชเสวี
(1890–1984)
3 August
1936
24 June
1943
IndependentPresident of the People's Assembly
(3)Phraya Sorayuthaseni
พระยาศรยุทธเสนี
(1888–1962)
6 July
1943
24 June
1944
People'sPresident of the People's Assembly
(5)Phraya Manwaratchasewi
พระยามานวราชเสวี
(1890–1984)
2 July
1944
15 October
1945
IndependentPresident of the People's Assembly
6Vilas Osathanon
วิลาศ โอสถานนท์
(1899–1997)
4 June
1946
24 August
1946
People'sPresident of the Elder Council
(3)Phraya Sorayuthaseni
พระยาศรยุทธเสนี
(1888–1962)
31 August
1946
9 November
1947
People'sPresident of the Elder Council
(4)Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet
เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ
(1885–1976)
26 November
1947
29 November
1951
IndependentPresident of the Senate
7Phra Prachonpachanuk
พระประจนปัจจนึก
(1892–1970)
1 December
1951
16 September
1957
IndependentSpeaker of the House of Representatives
8Luang Sutthisanronnakon
หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร
(1901–1968)
20 September
1957
14 December
1957
IndependentSpeaker of the House of Representatives
(7)Phra Prachonpachanuk
พระประจนปัจจนึก
(1892–1970)
27 December
1957
20 October
1958
IndependentSpeaker of the House of Representatives
(8)Luang Sutthisanronnakon
หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร
(1901–1968)
6 February
1959
2 May
1968
IndependentPresident of the Constitution Drafting Assembly
9Thawi Bunyaket
ทวี บุณยเกตุ
(1904–1971)
8 May
1968
20 June
1968
IndependentPresident of the Constitution Drafting Assembly
10Nai Vorkarnbancha
นายวรการบัญชา
(1903–1974)
22 July
1968
17 November
1971
IndependentPresident of the Senate
11Siri Siriyothin
ศิริ สิริโยธิน
(1915–1979)
18 December
1972
11 December
1973
IndependentPresident of the National Legislative Assembly
12Kukrit Pramoj
คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช
(1911–1995)
29 December
1973
7 October
1974
IndependentPresident of the National Legislative Assembly
13Praphas Ouchai
ประภาศน์ อวยชัย
(1924–2017)
17 October
1974
25 January
1975
IndependentPresident of the National Legislative Assembly
14Prasit Kanchanawat
ประสิทธิ์ กาญจนวัฒน์
(1915–1999)
7 February
1975
12 January
1976
Social NationalistSpeaker of the House of Representatives
15Uthai Pimjaichon
อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน
(born 1938)
19 April
1976
6 October
1976
DemocratSpeaker of the House of Representatives
16Kamol Dechatungka
กมล เดชะตุงคะ
(1917–2002)
22 October
1976
20 November
1976
IndependentPresident of the National Administrative Reform Council
17Harin Hongsakul
หะริน หงสกุล
(1914–2008)
28 November
1976
20 October
1977
IndependentPresident 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
18Charubud Ruengsuwan
จารุบุตร เรืองสุวรรณ
(1920–1984)
26 April
1983
19 March
1984
IndependentPresident of the Senate
Uthai Pimjaichon
อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน
(born 1938)
Acting
19 March
1984
30 April
1984
ProgressSpeaker of the House of Representatives
19Ukrit Mongkolnavin
อุกฤษ มงคลนาวิน
(born 1933)
30 April
1984
21 April
1989
IndependentPresident of the Senate
Panja Kesornthong
ปัญจะ เกสรทอง
(born 1946)
Acting
21 April
1989
4 May
1989
Thai NationSpeaker of the House of Representatives
20Wan Chansue
วรรณ ชันซื่อ
(1923–2015)
4 May
1989
23 February
1991
IndependentPresident of the Senate
(19)Ukrit Mongkolnavin
อุกฤษ มงคลนาวิน
(born 1933)
2 April
1991
21 March
1992
IndependentPresident of the National Legislative Assembly
3 April
1992
26 May
1992
President of the Senate
21Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
28 June
1992
22 September
1992
IndependentPresident of the Senate
22Marut Bunnag
มารุต บุนนาค
(1924–2022)
22 September
1992
19 May
1995
DemocratSpeaker of the House of Representatives
Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
Acting
19 May
1995
11 July
1995
IndependentPresident of the Senate
23Booneua Prasertsuwan
บุญเอื้อ ประเสริฐสุวรรณ
(1919–2016)
11 July
1995
27 September
1996
Thai NationSpeaker of the House of Representatives
Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
Acting
27 September
1996
24 November
1996
IndependentPresident of the Senate
24Wan Muhamad Noor Matha
วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา
(born 1944)
24 November
1996
27 June
2000
New AspirationSpeaker of the House of Representatives
25Bhichai Rattakul
พิชัย รัตตกุล
(1924–2022)
30 June
2000
9 November
2000
DemocratSpeaker of the House of Representatives
Sanit Vorapanya
สนิท วรปัญญา
(born 1939)
Acting
9 November
2000
6 February
2001
IndependentPresident of the Senate
(15)Uthai Pimjaichon
อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน
(born 1938)
6 February
2001
5 January
2005
Thai Rak ThaiSpeaker of the House of Representatives
Suchon Chaleekure
สุชน ชาลีเครือ
(born 1933)
Acting
5 January
2005
8 March
2005
IndependentPresident of the Senate
26Pokin Palakul
โภคิน พลกุล
(born 1952)
8 March
2005
24 February
2006
Thai Rak ThaiSpeaker of the House of Representatives
Suchon Chaleekure
สุชน ชาลีเครือ
(born 1933)
Acting
24 February
2006
19 September
2006
IndependentPresident of the Senate
(21)Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
11 October
2006
20 January
2008
IndependentPresident of the National Legislative Assembly
27Yongyuth Tiyapairat
ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช
(born 1961)
28 January
2008
30 April
2008
People's PowerSpeaker of the House of Representatives
Prasopsuk Bundech
ประสพสุข บุญเดช
(born 1945)
Acting
19 March
2008
15 May
2008
IndependentPresident of the Senate
28Chai 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
IndependentPresident of the Senate
29Somsak Kiatsuranont
สมศักดิ์ เกียรติสุรนนท์
(born 1954)
3 August
2011
9 December
2013
Pheu ThaiSpeaker of the House of Representatives
Nikom Wairatpanij
นิคม ไวยรัชพานิช
(born 1947)
Acting
9 December
2013
8 May
2014
IndependentPresident of the Senate
Surachai Leangboonleodchai
สุรชัย เลี้ยงบุญเลิศชัย
(born 1953)
Acting
21 March
2014
24 May
2014
IndependentActing President of the Senate
30Pornpetch Wichitcholchai
พรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย
(born 1948)
17 August
2014
21 May
2019
IndependentPresident of the National Legislative Assembly
31Chuan Leekpai
ชวน หลีกภัย
(born 1938)
28 May
2019
20 March
2023
DemocratSpeaker of the House of Representatives
Pornpetch Wichitcholchai
พรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย
(born 1948)
Acting
20 March
2023
5 July
2023
IndependentPresident of the Senate
(24)Wan Muhamad Noor Matha
วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา
(born 1944)
5 July
2023
IncumbentPrachachartSpeaker of the House of Representatives

See also

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: https://www.senate.go.th/assets/portals/1/files/Decree%20emoluments_2555.pdf . th:พระราชกฤษฎีกา เงินประจำตำแหน่งและประโยชน์ตอบแทนอย่างอื่นของประธานและรองประธานสภาผู้แทนราษฎร ประธานและรองประธานวุฒิสภา ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านในสภาผู้แทนราษฎร สมาชิกสภาผู้แทนราษฎร สมาชิกวุฒิสภา และกรรมาธิการ พ.ศ. ๒๕๕๕ . th . senate.go.th . 25 March 2022.