List of Prime Ministers of Thailand

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The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government 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 forced the absolutist King Prajadhipok to grant for the people of Siam their first constitution. Under the newly established constitutional monarchy, the first prime minister of Siam was Phraya Manopakorn Nititada. 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. 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 and seven the rank of general. The post of prime minister is currently held by General Prayut Chan-o-cha, who was formally appointed to the office on 24 August 2014. Previously he was the de facto head of government as leader of the National Council for Peace and Order, since the 22 May 2014.

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 Thailand

Colour key
(for political parties)
No.
(Terms) 		Picture Name
(Born–Died) 		Cabinet Term Start
(Reason) 		Term Ends
(Reason) 		Time in office Policy date Political party
King Prajadhipok (Rama VII)
(25 November 1925 – 2 March 1935)
1
(1–3)
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
(Kon Hutasingha)
(1884–1948)		 1 28 June 1932
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 10 December 1932
(New "Permanent" Constitution Promulgated)		 358 days No Formal Policy Declaration Independent
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)		 1 April 1933
2
(1–2)
Colonel Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena
(1887–1947)		 4 21 June 1933
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 16 December 1933
(Mandated: 15 November General Election)		 1 years, 93 days 26 June 1933 Khana Ratsadon
(Military faction)
5 16 December 1933
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 22 September 1934
(Resignation: Parliamentary Disapproval of "Rubber Limitations Act")		 25 December 1933
King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII)
(2 March 1935 – 9 June 1946)
(2)
(3–5)
Colonel Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena
(1889–1958)		 6 22 September 1934
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 9 August 1937
(Resignation: Crown Real-estate scandals)		 4 years, 85 days 24 September 1934 Khana Ratsadon
(Military faction)
7 9 August 1937
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 21 December 1937
(Term Ends: 7 November General Election)		 11 August 1937
8 21 December 1937
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 16 December 1938
(Parliament Dissolution: 12 November General Election)		 23 December 1937
3
(1–2)
Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram
(1897–1964)		 9 16 December 1938
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 7 March 1942
(Resignation: Cabinet Reshuffle)		 5 years, 229 days 26 December 1938 Khana Ratsadon
(Military faction)
10 7 March 1942
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 1 August 1944
(Resignation: Parliamentary Disapproval of "Petchaboon Municipality Act")		 16 March 1942
4
(1)
Major Khuang Aphaiwong
(1902–1968)		 11 1 August 1944
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 31 August 1945
(Resignation: Post-War Election)		 1 years, 30 days 3 August 1944 Khana Ratsadon
(Civil faction)
5
Tawee Boonyaket
(1904–1971)		 12 31 August 1945
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 17 September 1945
(Resignation)		 17 days 1 September 1945 Free Thai
6
(1)
Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj
(1905–1997)		 13 17 September 1945
(Regency Council Command)		 31 January 1946
(Resignation: conflicts within Cabinet)		 136 days 19 September 1945 Free Thai
(4)
(2)
Major Khuang Aphaiwong
(1902–1968)		 14 31 January 1946
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 24 March 1946
(Resignation: Government Disapproval of Parliamentary Resolution)		 52 days 7 February 1946 Independent
King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX)
(9 June 1946 – present)
7
Dr. Pridi Banomyong
(1900–1983)		 15 24 March 1946
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 11 June 1946
(Resignation: Constitution of 1946 Declaration)		 152 days 25 March 1946 Free Thai
16 11 June 1946
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 23 August 1946
(Resignation: "Fatigue")		 13 June 1946
8
Rear Admiral Thawan Thamrongnawasawat
(1901–1988)		 17 23 August 1946
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 30 May 1947
(Resignation (after 7 days of Parliament Session)		 1 years, 79 days 26 August 1946 Constitutional Front
18 30 May 1947
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 8 November 1947
(Removed by: 1947 coup d'état)		 5 June 1947
Coup Group
(Leader: Field Marshal Phin Choonhavan)		 8 November 1947 10 November 1947 2 days Military
(4)
(3)
Major Khuang Aphaiwong
(1902–1968)		 19 10 November 1947
(Great Cabinet Resolution)		 21 February 1948
(Term Ends: 29 January, General Election)		 150 days 27 November 1947 Democrat
20 21 February 1948
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 8 April 1948
(Resignation: under pressure from Coup Group)		 1 March 1948
(3)
(3–8)
Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram
(1897–1964)		 21 1 March 1948
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 25 June 1949
(Dissolution: 5 June General Election)		 9 years, 199 days 21 April 1948 Military
—
Seri Manangkhasila Party (1955–1957)
22 25 June 1949
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 29 November 1951
(Re-appointed after: 1949 coup d'état)		 6 July 1949
23 29 November 1951
(Coup d'état Declaration)		 6 December 1951
(Dissolution: 26 February General Election)		 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
(Leader: Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat)		 16 September 1957 21 September 1957 5 days Military
9
Pote Sarasin
(1905–2000)		 27 21 September 1957
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 1 January 1958
(Dissolution: 15 December General Election)		 102 days 24 September 1957 Independent
10
(1)
General Thanom Kittikachorn
(1911–2004)		 28 1 January 1958
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 20 October 1958
(Resigned after: 1958 coup d'état)		 292 days 9 January 1958 Military
—
National Socialist[1]
"Revolutionary Council"
(Leader: Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat)		 20 October 1958 9 February 1959 112 days Military
11
Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat
(1909–1963)		 29 9 February 1959
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 8 December 1963
(Died in office)		 4 years, 303 days 12 February 1959 Military
(10)
(2–3)
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn
(1911–2004)		 30 9 December 1963
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 7 March 1969
(Mandated: 10 February General Election)		 7 years, 344 days 19 December 1963 Military
—
United Thai People's Party (1968–1971)
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)		 18 November 1971 17 December 1972 1 years, 29 days Military
(10)
(4)
Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn
(1911–2004)		 32 18 December 1972
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 14 October 1973
(Resigned after: 14 October 1973 Uprising)		 301 days 22 December 1972 Military
12
Professor Sanya Dharmasakti
(1907–2002)		 33 14 October 1973
(Royal Command)		 22 May 1974
(Resignation: Incomplete Constitution Draft)		 1 years, 124 days 25 October 1973 Independent
34 27 May 1974
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 15 February 1975
(Mandated: 26 January General Election)		 7 June 1974
(6)
(2)
Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj
(1905–1997)		 35 15 February 1975
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 14 March 1975
(Parliamentary Disapproval of Formal Policy)		 27 days 6 March 1975 Democrat
13
Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj
(1911–1995)		 36 14 March 1975
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 20 April 1976
(Dissolution: 4 April General Election)		 1 years, 37 days 19 March 1975 Social Action
(6)
(3–4)
Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj
(1905–1997)		 37 20 April 1976
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 25 September 1976
(Resignation: Controversy of Thanom Kittikachorn's return from exile)		 1 years, 124 days 30 April 1976 Democrat
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)		 6 October 1976 8 October 1976 2 days Military
14
Thanin Kraivichien
(1927–)		 39 8 October 1976
(Administration Reform Council Resolution)		 20 October 1977
(Removed by: October 1977 coup d'état)		 1 years, 34 days 29 October 1976 Independent
Administration Reform Council
(Leader: Admiral Sangad Chaloryu)		 20 October 1977 10 November 1977 21 days Military
15
(1–2)
General Kriangsak Chomanan
(1917–2003)		 40 11 November 1977
(Coup d'état Declaration)		 12 May 1979
(Dissolution: 22 April General Election)		 2 years, 113 days 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
(1–3)
General Prem Tinsulanonda
(1920–)		 42 3 March 1980
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 30 April 1983
(Dissolution: 19 January, Thai general election, 1983)		 8 years, 154 days 28 March 1980 Military
43 30 April 1983
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 5 August 1986
(Dissolution: 1 May General Election)		 20 May 1983
44 5 August 1986
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 4 August 1988
(Dissolution: 29 April General Election)		 27 August 1986
17
(1–2)
General Chatichai Choonhavan
(1922–1998)		 45 4 August 1988
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 9 December 1990
(Resignation: New Cabinet Formation)		 2 years, 204 days 25 August 1988 Chart Thai
46 9 December 1990
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 23 February 1991
(Removed by: 1991 coup d'état)		 9 January 1991
National Peace Keeping Council
(Leader: General Sunthorn Kongsompong)		 24 February 1991 2 March 1991 6 days Military
18
(1)
Anand Panyarachun
(1932–)		 47 2 March 1991
(National Peace Keeping Council Resolution)		 7 April 1992
(Mandated: 22 March General Election)		 1 years, 36 days 4 April 1991 Independent
19
General Suchinda Kraprayoon
(1933–)		 48 7 April 1992
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 10 June 1992
(Resigned due to: Black May event)		 47 days 6 May 1992 Military
—
Meechai Ruchuphan
(1938–)
(Acting Prime Minister)		 — 24 May 1992
(Royal Command)		 10 June 1992
(Resignation to make way for: Anand Panyarachun)		 17 days No Policy Statement Independent
(18)
(2)
Anand Panyarachun
(1932–)		 49 10 June 1992
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 23 September 1992
(Dissolution: 22 September General Election)		 105 days 22 June 1992 Independent
20
(1)
Chuan Leekpai
(1938–)		 50 23 September 1992
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 13 July 1995
(Dissolution: 19 May General Election)		 2 years, 293 days 21 October 1992 Democrat
21
Banharn Silpa-archa
(1932–)		 51 13 July 1995
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 25 November 1996
(Parliament Dissolution: 27 September General Election)		 1 years, 135 days 26 July 1995 Chart Thai
22
General Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
(1932–)		 52 25 November 1996
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 9 November 1997
(Resignation: 1997 Asian Financial Crisis)		 349 days 11 December 1996 New Aspiration
(20)
(2)
Chuan Leekpai
(1938–)		 53 9 November 1997
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 9 February 2001
(Term Ends: 6 January General Election)		 3 years, 92 days 20 November 1997 Democrat
23
(1–2)
Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra
(1949–)		 54 9 February 2001
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 9 March 2005
(Term Ends: 6 February General Election)		 5 years, 55 days 26 February 2001 Thai Rak Thai
55 9 March 2005
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 5 April 2006
(Dissolution after 2005–2006 political crisis: 24 February 2006)		 23 March 2005
—
Police General Chitchai Wannasathit
(1949–)
(Acting Prime Minister)		 — 5 April 2006
(Royal Command)		 23 May 2006
(Resigned after: 2 April General Election)		 48 days No Policy Statement Thai Rak Thai
(23)
(3)
Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra
(1949–)
(Caretaker Prime Minister)		 — 23 May 2006
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 19 September 2006
(Removed as caretaker Prime Minister by: 2006 coup d'état)		 119 days No Policy Statement Thai Rak Thai
Council for National Security
(Leader: General Sonthi Boonyaratglin,
then later Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk)		 19 September 2006 1 October 2006 12 days Military
24
General Surayud Chulanont
(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))		 1 years, 120 days 3 November 2006 Independent
25
Samak Sundaravej
(1935–2009)		 57 29 January 2008
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 8 September 2008
(Constitutional Court ruling)		 224 days 18 February 2008 People's Power
26
Somchai Wongsawat
(1947–)
(Acting Prime Minister from 8 to 17 September 2008)		 58 18 September 2008
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 2 December 2008
(Constitutional Court ruling)		 84 days 7 October 2008 People's Power
—
Chaovarat Chanweerakul
(1936–)
(Acting Prime Minister)		 2 December 2008
(Acting capacity)		 15 December 2008
(Constitutional Court ruling)		 15 days No Policy Statement Independent
27
Abhisit Vejjajiva
(1964–)		 59 17 December 2008
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 5 August 2011
(Dissolution: 3 July General Election)		 2 years, 231 days 30 December 2008 Democrat
28
Yingluck Shinawatra
(1967–)
(Acting Prime Minister from 9 December 2013 to 7 May 2014)		 60 5 August 2011
(House of Representatives Resolution)		 7 May 2014
(Constitutional Court ruling after dissolution)		 2 years, 275 days 23 August 2011 Pheu Thai
—
Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan
(1948–)
(Acting Prime Minister)		 7 May 2014
(Acting capacity)		 22 May 2014
(Removed as caretaker Prime Minister by: 2014 coup d'état)		 15 days No Policy Statement Pheu Thai
National Council for Peace and Order
(Leader: General Prayut Chan-o-cha)		 22 May 2014 24 August 2014 94 days Military
29
General Prayut Chan-o-cha
(1954–)		 61 24 August 2014[2]
(National Legislative Assembly Resolution)		 Incumbent 248 days 12 September 2014[3]
 Military

Living former Prime Ministers

NameTerm of officeDate of birthPolitical party
Tanin Kraivixien 1976–1977 5 April 1927 non-partisan
Prem Tinsulanonda 1980–1988 26 August 1920 Military
Anand Panyarachun 1991–1992, 1992 9 August 1932 non-partisan
Suchinda Kraprayoon 1992 6 August 1933 Military
Chuan Leekpai 1992–1995; 1997–2001 28 July 1938 Democrat Party
Banharn Silpa-archa 1995–1996 19 August 1932 Thai Nation Party
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh 1996–1997 15 May 1932 New Aspiration Party
Thaksin Shinawatra 2001–2006 26 July 1949 Thai Rak Thai
Surayud Chulanont 2006–2008 28 August 1943 non-partisan (Military)
Somchai Wongsawat 2008 31 August 1947 People's Power Party
Abhisit Vejjajiva 2008–2011 3 August 1964 Democrat Party
Yingluck Shinawatra 2011–2014 21 June 1967 Pheu Thai Party

See also

References

  1. ↑ Thak Chaloemtiarana (2007), Thailand: The Politics of Despotic Paternalism, Ithaca NY: Cornell Southeast Asia Program, p. 88, ISBN 978-0-8772-7742-2
  2. ↑ ประกาศแต่งตั้งนายกรัฐมนตรี ลงวันที่ 24 สิงหาคม 2557 [Proclamation on Appointment of Prime Minister dated 24 August 2014] (PDF). Royal Thai Government Gazette (in Thai) (Bangkok: Cabinet Secretariat). 131, Special Part 159 D: 1. 2014-08-25. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  3. ↑ "PM Prayuth delivers policy statement to NLA". Thai PBS (Bangkok: Thai PBS). 2014-09-12. Retrieved 2014-09-17.

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