List of Prime Ministers of Thailand
Encyclopedia
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
is the Head of Government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
of the Kingdom of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand and represents the government at home and the country abroad.
The post of Prime Minister has existed since 1932, after a bloodless revolution
Siamese Revolution of 1932
The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
, forced the absolutist
Absolute monarchy
Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government in which the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, his or her power not being limited by a constitution or by the law. An absolute monarch thus wields unrestricted political power over the...
King Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
to grant for the people of Siam their first constitution
Constitution of Thailand
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand is the supreme law of Thailand. Since the change from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional democracy in 1932, Thailand has had 17 charters and constitutions, reflecting the high degree of political instability and frequency of military coups faced...
. Under the newly established constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution, whether it be a written, uncodified or blended constitution...
, the first Prime Minister of Siam was Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada , born Kon Hutasingha , was the first Prime Minister of Siam after the Siamese Revolution of 1932 as he was selected by the leader of the People's Party - the party that instigated the revolution...
. At first, the office was called the President of the People’s Committee, it was later changed to Prime Minister of Siam when the King deemed it too communistic.
Constitutionally the Prime Minister is required to be a member of the lower house of Parliament or the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Thailand
The House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government. The system of government of Thailand is that of a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. The system of the Thai...
. He must also gain their approval through a resolution before an official appointment by the King can take place. As a result the Prime Minister might succumb to a vote of no confidence and removal in the House, however this has never happened up to date.
Throughout the post’s existence it has mostly been occupied by military leaders from the Royal Thai Army, three holding the rank of Field Marshal
Chom Phon
Chom Phon or Field Marshal of Thailand is a military rank of Thailand in the Royal Thai Army, considered the equivalent to a Field Marshal or General of the Army . Today it is ceremonially held by members of the Thai Royal family and exists only on paper in the actual Thai military...
and seven the rank of General. The current Prime Minister is Yingluck Shinawatra
Yingluck Shinawatra
Yingluck Shinawatra , or nickname Pu , is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election...
since August 5, 2011.
Note: the list includes Leaders of Military Juntas and Acting Prime Ministers, however they are not counted in the official list as provided by the Royal Thai Government
Prime Ministers of the Kingdom of ThailandThailandThailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
(1932-Present)
| No. | Name (Life) |
Cabinet | Term Start | Term Ends | Time in Office | Policy Date | Political Party | ||
| Date | Reason | Date | Reason | ||||||
| King Prajadhipok Prajadhipok Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political... (Rama VII) (25 November 1925 - 2 March 1935) |
|||||||||
| 1 | Phraya Manopakorn Nititada Phraya Manopakorn Nititada Phraya Manopakorn Nititada , born Kon Hutasingha , was the first Prime Minister of Siam after the Siamese Revolution of 1932 as he was selected by the leader of the People's Party - the party that instigated the revolution... (1884-1948) |
1 | 28 June 1932 | House of Representatives Resolution | 10 December 1932 | New "Permanent" Constitution Promulgated | No Formal Policy Declaration | None | |
| 2 | 10 December 1932 | House of Representatives Resolution | 1 April 1933 | House Dissolution by emergency Royal Decree | 20 December 1932 | ||||
| 3 | 1 April 1933 | Royal Decree | 21 June 1933 | Removed by: 1933 coup d'état Siamese coup d'état of 1933 The Siamese Coup d’état of June 1933 was considered the first time in Thai history that the Military has successfully overthrown the Constitutional Government. The actual coup took place peacefully on 20 June 1933 in Bangkok. The Coup was led by Colonel Phraya Phahol Pholphayuhasena against the... |
1 April 1933 | ||||
| 2 | General Phot Phahonyothin (1889-1958) |
4 | 21 June 1933 | House of Representatives Resolution | 16 December 1933 | Mandated: 15 November General Election Siamese general election, 1933 General elections were held in Siam on 15 November 1933. At the time there were no political parties, so all candidates ran as independents. Voter turnout was 41.5%.-Results:... |
26 June 1933 | Khana Ratsadon Khana Ratsadon Khana Ratsadon , frequently mistakenly written as Khana Rat , was a Siamese group of military and civil officers, and later a political party, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok and transited the country's absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy on 24 June 1932.-The... , Military branch |
|
| 5 | 16 December 1933 | House of Representatives Resolution | 22 September 1934 | Resignation: Parliamentary Disapproval of "Rubber Limitations Act" | 25 December 1933 | ||||
| King Ananda Mahidol Ananda Mahidol Ananda Mahidol was the eighth monarch of Thailand under the House of Chakri. At the time he was recognized as king by the National Assembly, in March 1935, he was a nine-year-old boy living in Switzerland. He returned to Thailand in December 1945. Six months later, in June 1946, he was found shot... (Rama VIII) (2 March 1935 - 9 June 1946) |
|||||||||
| (2) | General Phot Phahonyothin (1889-1958) |
6 | 22 September 1934 | House of Representatives Resolution | 9 August 1937 | Resignation: Crown Real-estate scandals | 24 September 1934 | Khana Ratsadon Khana Ratsadon Khana Ratsadon , frequently mistakenly written as Khana Rat , was a Siamese group of military and civil officers, and later a political party, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok and transited the country's absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy on 24 June 1932.-The... , Military branch |
|
| 7 | 9 August 1937 | House of Representatives Resolution | 21 December 1937 | Term Ends: 7 November General Election Siamese general election, 1937 General elections were held in Siam on 7 November 1937. At the time there were no political parties, so all candidates ran as independents. Voter turnout was 40.2%.-Results:... |
11 August 1937 | ||||
| 8 | 21 December 1937 | House of Representatives Resolution | 16 December 1938 | Parliament Dissolution: 12 November General Election Siamese general election, 1938 General elections were held in Siam on 12 November 1938. At the time there were no political parties, so all candidates ran as independents. Voter turnout was 35.0%.-Results:... |
23 December 1937 | ||||
| 3 |  Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsonggram Plaek Pibulsonggram Field Marshal Plaek Pibunsongkhram , often known as Phibun Songkhram or simply Phibun in English, was Prime Minister and virtual military dictator of Thailand from 1938 to 1944 and 1948 to 1957.- Early years :... (1897-1964) (1st Term) |
9 | 16 December 1938 | House of Representatives Resolution | 7 March 1942 | Resignation: Cabinet Reshuffle | 26 December 1938 | Khana Ratsadon Khana Ratsadon Khana Ratsadon , frequently mistakenly written as Khana Rat , was a Siamese group of military and civil officers, and later a political party, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok and transited the country's absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy on 24 June 1932.-The... , Military branch |
|
| 10 | 7 March 1942 | House of Representatives Resolution | 1 August 1944 | Resignation: Parliamentary Disapproval of "Petchaboon Municipality Act" | 16 March 1942 | ||||
| 4 |  Major Khuang Abhaiwongse Khuang Abhaiwongse Major Luang Khuang Abhaiwongse was three times the prime minister of Thailand.Khuang was born in Battambang now belonging to Cambodia as the son of the Siamese governor of the province Battambang, Chao Phraya Abhayabhubet... (1902-1968) (1st Time) |
11 | 1 August 1944 | House of Representatives Resolution | 31 August 1945 | Resignation: Post-War Election Siamese general election, 1946 General elections were held in Siam on 6 January 1946. At the time there were no political parties, so all candidates ran as independents. Voter turnout was 32.5%. A second round of elections was held in 47 provinces on 5 August in order to increase the number of MPs to the number set in the... |
3 August 1944 | Khana Ratsadon Khana Ratsadon Khana Ratsadon , frequently mistakenly written as Khana Rat , was a Siamese group of military and civil officers, and later a political party, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok and transited the country's absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy on 24 June 1932.-The... |
|
| 5 | Tawee Boonyaket Tawee Boonyaket Tawee Bunyaket was a Thai politician and the prime minister for a short term.After studying at the King's College and the École nationale supérieure d'Agronomie de Grignon , he started to work as a Government Official at the Thai Ministry of Agriculture... (1904-1971) |
12 | 31 August 1945 | House of Representatives Resolution | 17 September 1945 | Resignation | 1 September 1945 | None | |
| 6 | Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj Seni Pramoj Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj was three times the prime minister of Thailand and a politician in the Democrat Party. A member of the Thai royal family, he was a descendant of King Rama II.-Biography:... (1905-1997) (1st Time) |
13 | 17 September 1945 | Regency Council Command | 31 January 1946 | Resignation: conflicts within Cabinet | 19 September 1945 | Free Thai | |
| (4) | Major Khuang Abhaiwongse Khuang Abhaiwongse Major Luang Khuang Abhaiwongse was three times the prime minister of Thailand.Khuang was born in Battambang now belonging to Cambodia as the son of the Siamese governor of the province Battambang, Chao Phraya Abhayabhubet... (1902-1968) (2nd time) |
14 | 31 January 1946 | House of Representatives Resolution | 24 March 1946 | Resignation: Government Disapproval of Parliamentary Resolution | 7 February 1946 | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
|
| King Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej Bhumibol Adulyadej is the current King of Thailand. He is known as Rama IX... (Rama IX) (9 June 1946 - present) |
|||||||||
| 7 | .jpg) Dr. Pridi Banomyong (1900-1983) |
15 | 24 March 1946 | House of Representatives Resolution | 11 June 1946 | Resignation: Constitution of 1946 Declaration | 25 March 1946 | Free Thai | |
| 16 | 11 June 1946 | House of Representatives Resolution | 23 August 1946 | Resignation: "Fatigue" | 13 June 1946 | ||||
| 8 |  Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi Rear Admiral Thawal Thamrong Navaswadhi was the 8th prime minister of Thailand from 1946-1947.A career naval officer of Chinese ancestry, Admiral Thamrong was a leading member of the anti-Japanese Seri Thai resistance movement during World War II. He became Thailand's elected prime minister on... (1901-1988) |
17 | 23 August 1946 | House of Representatives Resolution | 30 May 1947 | Resignation (after 7 days of Parliament Session) | 26 August 1946 | Military Royal Thai Navy The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the... |
|
| 18 | 30 May 1947 | House of Representatives Resolution | 8 November 1947 | Removed by: 1947 coup d'état Siamese coup d'état of 1947 The Siamese coup d'état of 1947 was a Thai coup d’état that happened on the evening of 7 November 1947, ending in the early hours of the morning on 8 November. The coup ousted the government of Rear Admiral Thawan Thamrong Nawasawat, who was replaced by Khuang Aphaiwong as Prime Minister of... |
5 June 1947 | ||||
| (4) | Major Khuang Abhaiwongse Khuang Abhaiwongse Major Luang Khuang Abhaiwongse was three times the prime minister of Thailand.Khuang was born in Battambang now belonging to Cambodia as the son of the Siamese governor of the province Battambang, Chao Phraya Abhayabhubet... (1902-1968) (3rd Term) |
19 | 10 November 1947 | Great Cabinet Resolution | 21 February 1948 | Term Ends: 29 January, General Election | 27 November 1947 | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
|
| 20 | 21 February 1948 | House of Representatives Resolution | 8 April 1948 | Resignation: under pressure from Coup Group 1947 Coup Group (Thailand) Thailand's powerful Coup Group was composed of powerful military officers who planned and carried out a coup d'état in November 1947. Their prestige and influence were quickly enhanced by Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram's return to politics. They would however outlast him and dominate Thai... |
1 March 1948 | ||||
| (2) | Field Marshal Plaek Pibulsongkram (1897-1964) (2nd Time) |
21 | 1 March 1948 | House of Representatives Resolution | 25 June 1949 | Dissolution: 5 June General Election | 21 April 1948 | Military & Free Stone Seat Party | |
| 22 | 25 June 1949 | House of Representatives Resolution | 29 November 1951 | Re-appointed after: 1949 coup d'état Palace Rebellion Thailand's 1949 Palace Rebellion was a failed coup attempt. The aims of its plotters were to overthrow the government of Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram and to restore his main civilian rival Pridi Phanomyong to the Thai political scene.... |
6 July 1949 | ||||
| 23 | 29 November 1951 | Coup d'état Declaration | 6 December 1951 | Dissolution: 26 February General Election Thai general election, 1952 General elections were held in Thailand on 26 February 1952. At the time there were no political parties, so all candidates ran as independents. Voter turnout was 39.0%.-Results:... |
No Formal Policies | ||||
| 24 | 6 December 1951 | House of Representatives Resolution | 24 March 1952 | ||||||
| 11 December 1951 | |||||||||
| 25 | 24 March 1952 | House of Representatives Resolution | 21 March 1957 | Term Ends: 26 February General Election | 3 April 1952 | ||||
| 26 | 21 March 1957 | House of Representatives Resolution | 16 September 1957 | Removed by: 1957 coup d'état | 1 April 1957 | ||||
| Coup Group 1947 Coup Group (Thailand) Thailand's powerful Coup Group was composed of powerful military officers who planned and carried out a coup d'état in November 1947. Their prestige and influence were quickly enhanced by Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram's return to politics. They would however outlast him and dominate Thai... (Leader: Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan Phin Choonhavan Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan was a Thai military leader. Phin was a leader of several coups against the government, most notably the 1947 coup... ) |
16 September 1957 | 21 September 1957 | Military | ||||||
| 9 | Pote Sarasin Pote Sarasin Pote Sarasin was a Thai diplomat and politician. He served as foreign minister from 1949 to 1951 and then served as ambassador to the United States. In September 1957 when Sarit Thanarat seized power in a military coup, he appointed Pote to be the acting prime minister. He resigned in December 1957... (1905-2000) |
27 | 21 September 1957 | House of Representatives Resolution | 1 January 1958 | Dissolution: 15 December General Election Thai general election, December 1957 General elections were held in Thailand on 12 December 1957. The result was a victory for the new United Land party, which won 40 of the 160 seats, although with 59 MPs, independents were the largest bloc in Parliament. Voter turnout was 44.1%.-Results:... |
24 September 1957 | None | |
| 10 |  Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn Thanom Kittikachorn Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down... (1911-2004) (1st Time) |
28 | 1 January 1958 | House of Representatives Resolution | 20 October 1958 | Resigned after: 1958 coup d'état | 9 January 1958 | Military | |
| 11 | Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat (1909-1963) (Acting from 20 October to 10 February 1959) |
29 | 9 February 1959 | House of Representatives Resolution | 8 December 1963 | Died in office | 12 February 1959 | Military | |
| (10) | Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn Thanom Kittikachorn Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down... (1911-2004) (2nd Time) |
30 | 9 December 1963 | House of Representatives Resolution | 7 March 1969 | Mandated: 10 February General Election Thai general election, 1969 General elections were held in Thailand on 10 February 1969. The result was a victory for the United Thai People's Party, which won 75 of the 219 seats in the House of Representatives. Voter turnout was 49.2%. Following the election, 30 of the 72 independents joined the UTPP, giving it a total of... |
19 December 1963 | Military | |
| 31 | 7 March 1969 | House of Representatives Resolution | 17 November 1971 | Removed then re-appointed himself after: 1971 coup d'état | 25 March 1969 | ||||
| National Executive Council (Leader: Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn Thanom Kittikachorn Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down... ) |
18 November 1971 | 17 December 1972 | Military | ||||||
| (10) | Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn Thanom Kittikachorn Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn was a military dictator of Thailand. A staunch anti-Communist, Thanom oversaw a decade of military rule in Thailand from 1963 to 1973, until public protests which exploded into violence forced him to step down... (1911-2004) (2nd Time (continued)) |
32 | 18 December 1972 | House of Representatives Resolution | 14 October 1973 | Resigned after: 14 October 1973 Uprising | 22 December 1972 | Military | |
| 12 | Sanya Dharmasakti Sanya Dharmasakti Sanya Dharmasakti was the 12th Prime Minister of Thailand.Professor Sanya Dharmasakti was one of the most influential political figures in Thailand... (1907-2002) |
33 | 14 October 1973 | Royal Command | 22 May 1974 | Resignation: Incomplete Constitution Draft | 25 October 1973 | None | |
| 34 | 27 May 1974 | House of Representatives Resolution | 15 February 1975 | Mandated: 26 January General Election Thai general election, 1975 General elections were held in Thailand on 26 January 1975. The result was a victory for the new Democrat Party, which won 72 of the 269 seats. Voter turnout was 47.2%.-Results:... |
7 June 1974 | ||||
| (6) | Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj Seni Pramoj Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj was three times the prime minister of Thailand and a politician in the Democrat Party. A member of the Thai royal family, he was a descendant of King Rama II.-Biography:... (1905-1997) (2nd Time) |
35 | 15 February 1975 | House of Representatives Resolution | 14 March 1975 | Parliament Disapproval of Formal Policy | 6 March 1975 | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
|
| 13 | Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj Kukrit Pramoj Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj was a Thai politician and scholar. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand 1973-1974 and was the thirteenth Prime Minister of Thailand, serving in office from 1975-1976.- Early years:Of royal descent, M.R... (1911-1995) |
36 | 14 March 1975 | House of Representatives Resolution | 20 April 1976 | Dissolution: 4 April General Election Thai general election, 1976 Early general elections were held in Thailand on 4 April 1976 after the House of Representatives had been dissolved prematurely on 12 January. A total of 2,350 candidates representing 39 parties contested the election, although voter turnout was only 44.0%. The result was a victory for the Democrat... |
19 March 1975 | Social Action Party Social Action Party - History :The Social Action Party was formed by the more liberal members of the Democrat Party in 1974 under the leadership of Kukrit Pramoj. After Kukrit resigned the office of the party leader in December 1985, the former minister of foreign affairs and deputy party leader, Siddhi Savetsila, led... |
|
| (6) | Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj Seni Pramoj Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj was three times the prime minister of Thailand and a politician in the Democrat Party. A member of the Thai royal family, he was a descendant of King Rama II.-Biography:... (1905-1997) (3rd Time) |
37 | 20 April 1976 | House of Representatives Resolution | 25 September 1976 | Resignation: Controversy of Thanom Kittikachorn's return from exile | 30 April 1976 | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
|
| 38 | 25 September 1976 | House of Representatives Resolution | 6 October 1976 | Removed by: 1976 coup d'état | No Formal Policies | ||||
| Administration Reform Council (Leader: Admiral Sangad Chaloryu Sangad Chaloryu Admiral Sangad Chaloryu was a Thai admiral and politician who served as head of the National Administrative Reform Council , a military junta that ruled Thailand from 1976-1980.... ) |
6 October 1976 | 8 October 1976 | Military Royal Thai Navy The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the... |
||||||
| 14 |  Thanin Kraivichien (1927-) |
39 | 8 October 1976 | Administration Reform Council Resolution | 20 October 1977 | Removed by: October 1977 coup d'état | 29 October 1976 | Military | |
| 15 |  General Kriangsak Chomanan Kriangsak Chomanan General Kriangsak Chomanan served as prime minister of Thailand from 1977 to 1980.A professional soldier, General Kriangsak fought against the communists in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War... (1917-2003) |
40 | 11 November 1977 | Coup d'état Declaration | 12 May 1979 | Dissolution: 22 April General Election Thai general election, 1979 General elections were held in Thailand on 22 April 1979. The result was a victory for the Social Action Party, which won 82 of the 301 seats. Voter turnout was 43.9%.-Results:... |
1 December 1977 | Military | |
| 41 | 12 May 1979 | House of Representatives Resolution | 3 March 1980 | Resignation: Oil Crisis and Refugee Conflict | 7 June 1979 | ||||
| 16 | General Prem Tinsulanonda Prem Tinsulanonda General Prem Tinsulanonda is a retired Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to August 4, 1988. He now serves as the Head of the Privy Council of the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej.... (1920-) |
42 | 3 March 1980 | House of Representatives Resolution | 30 April 1983 | Dissolution: 19 January General Election Thai general election, 1983 General elections were held in Thailand on 18 April 1983. The result was a victory for the Social Action Party, which won 92 of the 324 seats. Voter turnout was 50.8%.-Results:... |
28 March 1980 | Military | |
| 43 | 30 April 1983 | House of Representatives Resolution | 5 August 1986 | Dissolution: 1 May General Election Thai general election, 1986 General elections were held in Thailand on 27 July 1986. The result was a victory for the Democrat Party, which won 100 of the 347 seats. Voter turnout was 61.4%.-Results:... |
20 May 1983 | ||||
| 44 | 5 August 1986 | House of Representatives Resolution | 4 August 1988 | Dissolution: 29 April General Election Thai general election, 1988 General elections were held in Thailand on 24 July 1988. The result was a victory for the Thai Nation Party, which won 87 of the 357 seats. Voter turnout was 63.6%.-Results:... |
27 August 1986 | ||||
| 17 | General Chatichai Choonhavan Chatichai Choonhavan General Chatichai Choonhavan was the Prime Minister of Thailand from 1988 to 1991. He was the only son of Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan, and is of Thai Chinese descent with ancestry from Chenghai District... (1922-1998) |
45 | 4 August 1988 | House of Representatives Resolution | 9 December 1990 | Resignation: New Cabinet Formation | 25 August 1988 | Chart Thai Party Chart Thai Party Thai Nation Party , also known as Chart Thai, was a conservative political party in Thailand. It was dissolved by the Constitutional Court of Thailand on December 2, 2008, along with the People's Power Party and the Matchima party, for having violated electoral laws in the Thai general election, 2007... |
|
| 46 | 9 December 1990 | House of Representatives Resolution | 23 February 1991 | Removed by: 1991 coup d'état | 9 January 1991 | ||||
| National Peace Keeping Council National Peace Keeping Council The National Peace Keeping Council was a Thai military junta that overthrew the civilian elected government of Chatichai Choonhavan in 1991. It was led by Army Commander Suchinda Kraprayoon, Supreme Commander Sunthorn Kongsompong, Airforce Commander Kaset Rojananil and members of the 5th Class of... (Leader: General Sunthorn Kongsompong Sunthorn Kongsompong General Sunthorn Kongsompong was the de facto head of government of Thailand from 1991 - 1992, following a military coup d'etat led by Sunthorn and General Suchinda Kraprayoon deposed the government of Prime Minister Chatichai Choonhavan on February 23, 1991... ) |
24 February 1991 | 2 March 1991 | Military | ||||||
| 18 | Anand Panyarachun Anand Panyarachun Anand Panyarachun was Thailand's Prime Minister twice, between 1991–1992 and once again in 1992. He was effective in initiating economic and political reforms, one of which was the drafting of Thailand's "Peoples' Constitution", which was promulgated in 1997 and abrogated in 2006... (1932-) (1st Time) |
47 | 2 March 1991 | National Peace Keeping Council Resolution | 7 April 1992 | Mandated: 22 March General Election Thai general election, 1992 General elections were held in Thailand on 22 March 1992, the first after the National Peace Keeping Council overthrew the elected government of Chatichai Choonhavan in a coup on 23 February 1991. A total of 15 parties and 2,185 candidates contested the 360 seats... |
4 April 1991 | None | |
| 19 | General Suchinda Kraprayoon Suchinda Kraprayoon Suchinda Kraprayoon was Prime Minister of Thailand from 7 April 1992 until 24 May 1992.Suchinda, son of Juang and Sompong Kraprayoon, was born 6 August 1933 in the province of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, and is of Chinese and Mon descent... (1933-) |
48 | 7 April 1992 | House of Representatives Resolution | 10 June 1992 | Resigned due to: Black May event | 6 May 1992 | Military | |
Meechai Ruchuphan Meechai Ruchuphan Meechai Ruchuphan . Currently Meechai is the chairman/president of Thailand's Law Reform Commission, Council of State. He was the acting Prime Minister of Thailand following a military takeover of the government that took place in February 1991... (1938-) (Acting) |
|||||||||
| 24 May 1992 | Royal Command | 10 June 1992 | Resignation to make way for: Anand Panyarachun | No Policy Statement | None | ||||
| (18) | Anand Panyarachun Anand Panyarachun Anand Panyarachun was Thailand's Prime Minister twice, between 1991–1992 and once again in 1992. He was effective in initiating economic and political reforms, one of which was the drafting of Thailand's "Peoples' Constitution", which was promulgated in 1997 and abrogated in 2006... (1932-) (2nd Time) |
49 | 10 June 1992 | House of Representatives Resolution | 23 September 1992 | Dissolution: 22 September General Election Thai general election, September 1992 General elections were held in Thailand on 13 September 1992. The result was a victory for the Democrat Party, which won 79 of the 360 seats. Voter turnout was 61.6%.-Results:... |
22 June 1992 | None | |
| 20 | Chuan Leekpai Chuan Leekpai Chuan Leekpai was the Prime Minister of Thailand from September 20, 1992 to May 19, 1995 and again from November 9, 1997 to February 9, 2001. A third-generation Thai Chinese, Chuan was born in Trang province in a grass-roofed house. The walls of his family's house were woven from strips of... (1938-) (1st Time) |
50 | 23 September 1992 | House of Representatives Resolution | 13 July 1995 | Dissolution: May 19 General Election Thai general election, 1995 General elections were held in Thailand on 2 July 1995. The result was a victory for the Democrat Party, which won 92 of the 391 seats. Voter turnout was 62.0%.-Results:... |
21 October 1992 | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
|
| 21 | Banharn Silpa-archa Banharn Silpa-Archa Banharn Silpa-archa was the 21st Prime Minister of Thailand, from 13 July 1995 to 24 November 1996. He has been a veteran Sino-Thai Member of Parliament since 1976 as the elected representative of Suphanburi province... (1932-) |
51 | 13 July 1995 | House of Representatives Resolution | 25 November 1996 | Parliament Dissolution: 27 September General Election Thai general election, 1996 General elections were held in Thailand on 17 November 1996. The result was a victory for the New Aspiration Party, which won 125 of the 393 seats, despite winning fewer votes than the Democrat Party. Voter turnout was 62.4%.-Results:... |
26 July 1995 | Chart Thai Party Chart Thai Party Thai Nation Party , also known as Chart Thai, was a conservative political party in Thailand. It was dissolved by the Constitutional Court of Thailand on December 2, 2008, along with the People's Power Party and the Matchima party, for having violated electoral laws in the Thai general election, 2007... |
|
| 22 | General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Chavalit Yongchaiyudh General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is a Thai politician and retired general. He was Thailand's 22nd Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. He is of Sino-Thai and ethnic Lao descent.... (1932-) |
52 | 25 November 1996 | House of Representatives Resolution | 9 November 1997 | Resignation: 1997 Asian Financial Crisis | 11 December 1996 | New Aspiration Party New Aspiration Party The New Aspiration Party was a political party in Thailand. In the legislative elections, on February 6, 2005, the party won 0.4 % of the popular vote and no seats in the House of Representatives.... |
|
| (20) | Chuan Leekpai Chuan Leekpai Chuan Leekpai was the Prime Minister of Thailand from September 20, 1992 to May 19, 1995 and again from November 9, 1997 to February 9, 2001. A third-generation Thai Chinese, Chuan was born in Trang province in a grass-roofed house. The walls of his family's house were woven from strips of... (1938-) (2nd Time) |
53 | 9 November 1997 | House of Representatives Resolution | 9 February 2001 | Term Ends: 6 January General Election | 20 November 1997 | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
|
| 23 |  Police Lt. Colonel Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup.... (1949-) |
54 | 9 February 2001 | House of Representatives Resolution | 9 March 2005 | Term Ends: 6 February General Election | 26 February 2001 | Thai Rak Thai Party | |
| 55 | 9 March 2005 | House of Representatives Resolution | 19 September 2006 | Dissolution after 2005-2006 political crisis: 24 February 2006 | 23 March 2005 | ||||
Police General Chitchai Wannasathit Chitchai Wannasathit Chitchai Wannasathit was the caretaker prime minister of Thailand from April to May 2006, when Thaksin Shinawatra took a break from his duties as prime minister following a disappointing showing in elections. Thaksin returned to his duties after more than a month... (1946-) (Acting) |
|||||||||
| 5 April 2006 | Royal Command | 23 May 2006 | Resigned after: 2 April General Election | No Policy Statement | Thai Rak Thai Party | ||||
Police Lt. Colonel Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup.... (1949-) (caretaker PM) |
|||||||||
| 23 May 2006 | House of Representatives Resolution | 19 September 2006 | Removed as caretaker Prime Minister by: 2006 coup d'état | No Policy Statement | Thai Rak Thai Party | ||||
| Council for National Security (Leader: General Sonthi Boonyaratglin Sonthi Boonyaratglin General Sonthi Boonyaratglin is former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army and former head of the Council for National Security, the military junta that ruled the kingdom. He is the first Muslim in charge of the mostly Buddhist army... , then later Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk) |
19 September 2006 | 1 October 2006 | Military | ||||||
| 24 |  General Surayud Chulanont Surayud Chulanont General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008... (1943-) |
56 | 1 October 2006 | Council for National Security Declaration | 29 January 2008 | By virtue of section 298 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (2007 Version) 2007 Constitution of Thailand A Permanent Constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand was drafted by a committee established by the military junta that abrogated the previous 1997 Constitution. On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution... |
3 November 2006 | None | |
| 25 |  Samak Sundaravej Samak Sundaravej Samak Sundaravej was a Thai Chinese politician who briefly served as the Prime Minister of Thailand and Minister of Defense in 2008, as well as the leader of the People's Power Party in 2008.-Early life and family:... (1935-2009) |
57 | 29 January 2008 | House of Representatives Resolution | 8 September 2008 | Constitutional Court Constitutional Court of Thailand The Constitutional Court of Thailand is an independent Thai court originally established under the 1997 Constitution with jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, draft legislation, as well as the appointment and removal of public officials and issues regarding... ruling |
18 February 2008 | People's Power Party People's Power Party (Thailand) The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng... |
|
| 26 |  Somchai Wongsawat Somchai Wongsawat Somchai Wongsawat is a Thai politician, as well as former executive member of the People's Power Party whose political rights have been disfranchised by the Constitutional Court for five years.... (1947-) (Acting from 8 to 17 September 2008) |
58 | 18 September 2008 | House of Representatives Resolution | 2 December 2008 | Constitutional Court Constitutional Court of Thailand The Constitutional Court of Thailand is an independent Thai court originally established under the 1997 Constitution with jurisdiction over the constitutionality of parliamentary acts, royal decrees, draft legislation, as well as the appointment and removal of public officials and issues regarding... ruling |
7 October 2008 | People's Power Party People's Power Party (Thailand) The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng... |
|
Chaovarat Chanweerakul Chaovarat Chanweerakul Chaovarat Chanweerakul, or Chavarat Charnvirakul is a Thai politician. He had served as an Acting Prime Minister of Thailand as a result of the 2008 Thai political crisis.... (1936-) (Acting) |
|||||||||
| 2 December 2008 | Royal Command | 17 December 2008 | Vacated office: with the appointment of Abhisit Vejjajiva | No Policy Statement | People's Power Party People's Power Party (Thailand) The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng... |
||||
| 27 | Abhisit Vejjajiva Abhisit Vejjajiva Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party... (1964-) |
59 | 17 December 2008 | House of Representatives Resolution | 5 August 2011 | Dissolution: 3 July General Election | 30 December 2008 | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
|
| 28 | Yingluck Shinawatra Yingluck Shinawatra Yingluck Shinawatra , or nickname Pu , is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election... (1967-) |
60 | 5 August 2011 | House of Representatives Resolution | Incumbent | ||||
| 23 August 2011 | Pheu Thai Party | ||||||||
Living former Prime Ministers
| Name | Term of office | Date of birth | Political party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanin Kraivixien Tanin Kraivixien Tanin Kraivixien or Thanin Kraivixien was the prime minister of Thailand between 1976 and 1977. Tanin is a son of Hae and Pa-ob Kraivixien, and is of Chinese-Thai descent. Tanin studied law at Thammasat University, graduating in 1948. He then went to the London School of Economics to continue with... |
1976-1977 | 5 April 1927 (age 84) | non-partisan |
| Prem Tinsulanonda Prem Tinsulanonda General Prem Tinsulanonda is a retired Thai military officer who served as Prime Minister of Thailand from March 3, 1980 to August 4, 1988. He now serves as the Head of the Privy Council of the King of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej.... |
1980-1988 | 26 August 1920 (age 91) | Military |
| Anand Panyarachun Anand Panyarachun Anand Panyarachun was Thailand's Prime Minister twice, between 1991–1992 and once again in 1992. He was effective in initiating economic and political reforms, one of which was the drafting of Thailand's "Peoples' Constitution", which was promulgated in 1997 and abrogated in 2006... |
1991-1992, 1992 | 9 August 1932 (age 79) | non-partisan |
| Suchinda Kraprayoon Suchinda Kraprayoon Suchinda Kraprayoon was Prime Minister of Thailand from 7 April 1992 until 24 May 1992.Suchinda, son of Juang and Sompong Kraprayoon, was born 6 August 1933 in the province of Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, and is of Chinese and Mon descent... |
1992 | 6 August 1933 (age 78) | Military |
| Chuan Leekpai Chuan Leekpai Chuan Leekpai was the Prime Minister of Thailand from September 20, 1992 to May 19, 1995 and again from November 9, 1997 to February 9, 2001. A third-generation Thai Chinese, Chuan was born in Trang province in a grass-roofed house. The walls of his family's house were woven from strips of... |
1992-1995; 1997-2001 | 28 July 1938 (age 73) | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
| Banharn Silpa-archa Banharn Silpa-Archa Banharn Silpa-archa was the 21st Prime Minister of Thailand, from 13 July 1995 to 24 November 1996. He has been a veteran Sino-Thai Member of Parliament since 1976 as the elected representative of Suphanburi province... |
1995-1996 | 19 August 1932 (age 79) | Thai Nation Party |
| Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Chavalit Yongchaiyudh General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh is a Thai politician and retired general. He was Thailand's 22nd Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997. He is of Sino-Thai and ethnic Lao descent.... |
1996-1997 | 15 May 1932 (age 79) | New Aspiration Party New Aspiration Party The New Aspiration Party was a political party in Thailand. In the legislative elections, on February 6, 2005, the party won 0.4 % of the popular vote and no seats in the House of Representatives.... |
| Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai businessman and politician, who was Prime Minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup.... |
2001-2006 | 26 July 1949 (age 62) | Thai Rak Thai Thai Rak Thai The Thai Rak Thai Party was a Thai political party that was officially banned on May 30, 2007, by the Constitutional Court of Thailand due to violations of electoral laws during the 2006 legislative elections. From 2001 to 2006, it was the ruling party under Prime Minister and its founder Thaksin... |
| Surayud Chulanont Surayud Chulanont General Surayud Chulanont is a Thai political figure. He was the Prime Minister of Thailand and head of Thailand's Interim Government between 2006 and 2008... |
2006-2008 | 28 August 1943 (age 68) | non-partisan (Military) |
| Somchai Wongsawat Somchai Wongsawat Somchai Wongsawat is a Thai politician, as well as former executive member of the People's Power Party whose political rights have been disfranchised by the Constitutional Court for five years.... |
2008 | 31 August 1947 (age 64) | People's Power Party People's Power Party (Thailand) The People's Power Party was a Thai political party founded on November 9, 1998 by Police Lieutenant Colonel Garn Tienkaew. The party leader was Somchai Wongsawat, the Party Secretary General was Surapong Suebwonglee, and the Party Spokesperson was Kuthep Saikrajarng... |
| Abhisit Vejjajiva Abhisit Vejjajiva Abhisit Vejjajiva , , ; born Mark Abhisit Vejjajiva; 3 August 1964 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is a Thai politician who was the 27th Prime Minister of Thailand from 2008 to 2011 and is the current leader of the Democrat Party... |
2008-2011 | 3 August 1964 (age 47) | Democrat Party Democrat Party (Thailand) The Democrat Party is Thailand's oldest political party and was the main coalition government party of the 23rd House of Representatives of Thailand. The Democrat Party's current leader is Abhisit Vejjajiva, incumbent opposition leader and former Prime Minister. The party upholds a conservative... |
External links
- Official Website
- List of Prime Ministers of Thailand
- History of Thai Prime Ministers, a detailed list of Prime Ministers