Leader of the Opposition (Thailand)

Thailand

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Thailand



Other countries · Atlas
Politics portal

The Leader of the Opposition of Thailand (Thai: ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านในสภาผู้แทนราษฎรไทย or หัวหน้าพรรคฝ่ายค้าน) is the politician in the politics of Thailand who leads the main minority party in the House of Representatives of Thailand. Following the Westminster style parliamentary system, Thailand has had an official Leader of the Opposition since 1975. Under the 2007 Constitution of Thailand the Leader of the Opposition was given an official role within the Thai political system. The constitution stipulates that the Leader of the Opposition must be selected after the Prime Minister and the Cabinet has taken office.

To be nominated as candidate one must be the leader of the largest political party with no member holding any ministerial positions and if his or her party holds more or one-fifth (96 seats) of the seats in the House (480 seats). If no candidate meets this qualification then a leader of a minority party with the largest number of votes from parties with no members holding ministerial positions will be selected. The appointment will then be formalized by the King of Thailand.

The Leader of the Opposition also has other roles apart from leading the Shadow Cabinet of Thailand, he is also an ex-officio member of several selection committees for: Constitutional Court Judges, Election Commissioners, Ombudsmen and commissioners of the National Counter Corruption Commission and members of the State Audit Commission.

List of Leaders of the Opposition

No. Name Term Start Term Ends Political Party
1 MR Seni Pramoj 22 March 1975 12 January 1976 Democrat Party
2
(1)
Praman Adireksan 24 May 1983 1 May 1986 Thai Nation Party
3
(1)
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh 15 May 1992 16 June 1992 New Aspiration Party
2
(2)
Praman Adireksan 30 December 1992 7 May 1994 Thai Nation Party
4 Banharn Silpa-archa 27 May 1994 19 May 1995 Thai Nation Party
5
(1,2)
Chuan Leekpai 4 August 1995 27 September 1996 Democrat Party
21 December 1996 8 November 1997
3
(2-4)
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh 26 November 1997 12 January 1998 New Aspiration Party
2 September 1998 27 April 1999
12 May 1999 30 April 2000
5
(3)
Chuan Leekpai 11 March 2001 3 May 2003 Democrat Party
6 Banyat Bantadtan 23 May 2003 5 January 2005 Democrat Party
7
(1,2)
Abhisit Vejjajiva 23 April 2005 19 September 2006 Democrat Party
27 February 2008 17 December 2008
-
Chalerm Ubumrung
(De facto)
12 January 2009 10 May 2011 Pheu Thai Party
7
(3)
Abhisit Vejjajiva 6 August 2011 Present Democrat Party

Brackets indicate number of term

See also

References