President of the National Assembly of Thailand


The President of the National Assembly is the presiding officer 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. 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, is occupying ex officio position of President of the National Assembly.
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.

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.
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.
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.
No.TermNameTerm startTerm endsNote
1Chaophraya Thammasakmontri
28 June 19321 September 1932First President of the National Assembly
2Chao Phya Pichaiyart
2 September 193210 December 1933President of the People's Assembly
Chaophraya Thammasakmontri15 December 193326 February 1934President of the People's Assembly-
3Phraya Sorayudthasenee
26 February 193422 September 1934President of the People's Assembly
4Chao Phya Sridhamadhibes
22 September 193422 July 1936President of the People's Assembly
5Phya Manavarajasevee
3 August 193610 December 1937President of the People's Assembly
Phya Sorayudthasenee6 July 194324 June 1944President of the People's Assembly
Phya Manavarajasevee2 July 194424 June 1945President of the People's Assembly
6Vilas Osatananda4 June 194624 August 1946President of the Senate
Phya Sorayudthasenee31 August 19468 November 1947President of the Senate
Chao Phya Sridhamadhibes26 November 194729 November 1951President of the Senate
7Phra Prachonpachanuk
1 December 195120 October 1957Speaker of the House of Representatives
8Luang Sudhisararonakara
20 September 195714 December 1957Speaker of the House
Phra Prachonpachanuk6 February 195817 April 1968President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly
9Tawee Boonyaket8 May 196820 June 1968President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly
10Colonel Vorkarnbancha
22 July 196817 November 1971President of the Senate
11Siri Siriyothin18 December 197211 December 1973President of the National Legislative Assembly
12Kukrit Pramoj29 December 19737 October 1974President of the National Legislative Assembly
13Praphas Ouchai17 October 197425 January 1975President of the National Legislative Assembly
14Prasit Kanjonwat7 February 197512 January 1976Speaker of the House
15Uthai Pimjaichon19 April 19766 October 1976Speaker of the House
16Kamol Dechatungka22 October 197620 February 1976President of the Prime Ministerial Consultative Assembly
17Harin Hongsakul28 November 197620 October 1977President of the National Reform Assembly
Harin Hongsakul25 November 197722 April 1979President of the National Legislative Assembly-
Harin Hongsakul9 May 197919 March 1983President of the Senate
18Charubutr Ruangsuwan26 April 198319 March 1984President of the Senate
19Ukrit Mongkolnavin30 April 198421 April 1989President of the Senate
20Van Chanchue4 May 198923 February 1991President of the Senate
Ukrit Mongkolnavin2 April 199121 March 1992President of the National Legislative Assembly
Ukrit Mongkolnavin3 April 199226 May 1992President of the Senate
21Meechai Ruchuphan28 June 199229 June 1992President of the Senate
22Marut Bunnag22 September 199219 May 1995Speaker of the House
23Booneua Prasertsuwan11 July 199527 September 1996Speaker of the House
24Wan Muhamad Noor Matha24 November 199627 June 2000Speaker of the House
25Bhichai Rattakul30 June 20009 November 2000Speaker of the House
Uthai Pimjaichon6 February 20015 January 2005Speaker of the House
26Bhokin Bhalakula6 January 200524 February 2006Speaker of the House
Meechai Ruchuphan11 October 200619 March 2008President of the National Legislative Assembly
27Yongyut Tiyapairach23 January 200830 April 2008Speaker of the House; resignation after the Election Commission took a case of electoral fraud against him to the constitutional court.
Prasobsook Boondech19 March 200815 May 2008President of the Senate
28Chai Chidchob15 May 200810 May 2011Speaker of the House
Teeradej Meepien10 May 20113 August 2011President of the Senate
29Somsak Kiatsuranont3 August 20119 December 2013Speaker of the House
Surachai Leangboonleodchai9 May 201424 May 2014President of the Senate
30Pornpech Wichitcholchai17 August 201421 May 2019President of the National Legislative Assembly
31Chuan Leekpai28 May 2019IncumbentSpeaker of the House