President of the National Assembly of Thailand

President of the National Assembly
ประธานรัฐสภาไทย
Speaker of the House of Representatives
ประธานสภาผู้แทนราษฎร

Seal of the National Assembly
Incumbent
Somsak Kiatsuranont

since 3 August 2011
Style Mr. President or Mr. Speaker
Appointer Vote within the House of Representatives
Inaugural holder Chao Phraya Thammasakmontri
Formation 28 June, 1932
Thailand

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The President of the National Assembly (Thai: ประธานรัฐสภาไทย) is the presiding officer or Speaker of the National Assembly of Thailand. Since 1997, the office has been an ex-officio position occupied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand (Thai: ประธานสภาผู้แทนราษฎร). The President is therefore an MP, usually from the majority party in the House of Representatives. The Speaker or the President is elected at the beginning of a House session immediately after an election, there are no term limits for the office. The current incumbent is Somsak Kiatsuranont of the Pheu Thai Party who took office on 3 August 2011, succeeding Chai Chidchob

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 Chao Phraya Thammasakmontri (Sanan Thephasadin na Ayutthaya).

Contents

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

Order No. Term Name Term start Term ends Note
1 1 (1) Chao Phya Thammasakmontri
(Snan Thephasadin na Ayutthaya)
28 June 1932 1 September 1932 First President of the National Assembly
2 2 Chao Phya Pichaiyart
(Dhan Bunnag)
2 September 1932 10 December 1933 President of the People’s Assembly
3 (2) Chao Phya Thammasakmontri 15 December 1933 26 February 1934 President of the People’s Assembly
4 3 (1) Rear Admiral Phraya Sorayudthasenee
(Krasea Pravahanavin)
26 February 1934 22 September 1934 President of the People’s Assembly
5 4 Chao Phya Sridhamadhibes
(Chita na Songkhla)
22 September 1934 22 July 1936 President of the People’s Assembly
6 5 (1) Phya Manavarajasevee
(Plod Vichear na Songklha)
3 August 1936 10 December 1937 President of the People’s Assembly
7 (2) Rear Admiral Phya Sorayudthasenee 6 July 1943 24 June 1944 President of the People’s Assembly
8 (2) Phya Manavarajasevee 2 July 1944 24 June 1945 President of the People’s Assembly
9 6 Major Vilas Osatananda 4 June 1946 24 August 1946 President of the Senate
10 (3) Rear Admiral Phya Sorayudthasenee 31 August 1946 8 November 1947 President of the Senate
11 (2) Chao Phya Sridhamadhibes 26 November 1947 29 November 1951 President of the Senate
12 7 General Phra Prachonpachanuk
(Phok Mahadilok)
1 December 1951 20 October 1957 Speaker of the House of Representatives
13 8 (1) General Luang Sudhisararonakara
(Suthi Sukhavatee)
20 September 1957 14 December 1957 Speaker of the House
14 (2) General Phra Prachonpachanuk 6 February 1958 17 April 1968 President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly
15 9 Tawee Boonyaket 8 May 1968 20 June 1968 President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly
16 10 Colonel Vorkarnbancha
(Boonkerd Stantanont)
22 July 1968 17 November 1971 President of the Senate
17 11 Major General Siri Siriyothin 18 December 1972 11 December 1973 President of the National Legislative Assembly
18 12 MR Kukrit Pramoj 29 December 1973 7 October 1974 President of the National Legislative Assembly
19 13 Praphas Ouchai 17 October 1974 25 January 1975 President of the National Legislative Assembly
20 14 Prasit Kanjonwat 7 February 1975 12 January 1976 Speaker of the House
21 15 (1) Uthai Pimjaichon 19 April 1976 6 October 1976 Speaker of the House
22 16 Air Chief Marshal Kamol Dechatungka 22 October 1976 20 February 1976 President of the Prime Ministerial Consultative Assembly
23 17 (1) Air Chief Marshal Harin Hongsakul 28 November 1976 20 October 1977 President of the National Reform Assembly
24 (2) Air Chief Marshal Harin Hongsakul 25 November 1977 22 April 1979 President of the National Legislative Assembly
25 (3) Air Chief Marshal Harin Hongsakul 9 May 1979 19 March 1983 President of the Senate
26 18 Charubutr Ruengsuvan 26 April 1983 19 March 1984 President of the Senate
27 19 (1) Ukrit Mongkolnavin 30 April 1984 21 April 1989 President of the Senate
28 20 Van Chanchue 4 May 1989 23 February 1991 President of the Senate
29 (2) Ukrit Mongkolnavin 2 April 1991 21 March 1992 President of the National Legislative Assembly
30 (3) Ukrit Mongkolnavin 3 April 1992 26 May 1992 President of the Senate
31 21 (1) Meechai Ruchuphan 28 June 1992 29 June 1992 President of the Senate
32 22 Marut Bunnag 22 September 1992 19 May 1995 Speaker of the House
33 23 Boon-eur Prasertsuwan 11 July 1995 27 September 1996 Speaker of the House
34 24 Vanmuhamadnor Mata 24 November 1996 27 June 2000 Speaker of the House
35 25 Pichai Rattakul 30 June 2000 9 November 2000 Speaker of the House
36 (2) Uthai Pimjaichon 6 February 2001 5 January 2005 Speaker of the House
37 26 Phokin Polkul 6 January 2005 24 February 2006 Speaker of the House
38 (2) Meechai Ruchuphan 11 October 2006 19 March 2008 President of the National Legislative Assembly
39 27 Yongyut Tiyapairach 23 January 2008 30 April 2008 Speaker of the House; resignation after the Election Commission took a case of electoral fraud against him to the constitutional court.
40 Prasobsook Boondech 19 March 2008 15 May 2008 President of the Senate (Acting)
41 28 Chai Chidchob 15 May 2008 1 August 2011 Speaker of the House
42 Somsak Kiatsuranont 3 August 2011 Present Speaker of the House

See also

References