List of prime ministers of Thailand

The prime minister of Thailand (Thai: นายกรัฐมนตรี; RTGS: Nayok Ratthamontri; IPA: [naː.jók rát.tʰà.mon.triː], literally 'chief minister of state') 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 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 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 the National Assembly (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 coup d'état on 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.

List of prime ministers[]

No.	Prime Minister		Term of office			Political party		Government	Elected	Monarch (Reign)
No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Political party		Government	Elected	Monarch (Reign)
1		Phraya Manopakorn Nititada พระยามโนปกรณ์นิติธาดา (1884–1948)	28 June 1932	20 June 1933 (deposed.)	358 days		Independent	1. Manopakorn I	—	Prajadhipok (1925–1935)
								2. Manopakorn II
								3. Manopakorn III
2		Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena พระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา (1887–1947)	21 June 1933	16 December 1938	5 years, 178 days		Khana Ratsadon (Military faction)	4. Phahonyothin I
								5. Phahonyothin II	1933
								6. Phahonyothin III	—	Ananda Mahidol (1935–1946)
								7. Phahonyothin IV	1937
								8. Phahonyothin V	—
3		Plaek Phibunsongkhram แปลก พิบูลสงคราม (1897–1964)	16 December 1938	1 August 1944	5 years, 229 days		Khana Ratsadon (Military faction)	9. Plaek I	1938
3		Plaek Phibunsongkhram แปลก พิบูลสงคราม (1897–1964)	16 December 1938	1 August 1944	5 years, 229 days		Khana Ratsadon (Military faction)	10. Plaek II	—
4		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	1 August 1944	31 August 1945	1 year, 30 days		Independent	11. Khuang I
5		Thawi Bunyaket ทวี บุณยเกตุ (1904–1971)	31 August 1945	17 September 1945	17 days		Free Thai	12. Tawee I
6		Seni Pramoj เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	17 September 1945	31 January 1946	136 days		Free Thai	13. Seni I
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	31 January 1946	24 March 1946	52 days		Independent	14. Khuang II	1946
7		Pridi Banomyong ปรีดี พนมยงค์ (1900–1983)	24 March 1946	23 August 1946	152 days		Free Thai	15. Pridi I	—
7		Pridi Banomyong ปรีดี พนมยงค์ (1900–1983)	24 March 1946	23 August 1946	152 days		Free Thai	16. Pridi II	—	Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946–2016)
8		Thawan Thamrongnawasawat ถวัลย์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์ (1901–1988)	23 August 1946	8 November 1947 (deposed.)	1 year, 79 days			17. Thawan I	1946
8			23 August 1946	8 November 1947 (deposed.)	1 year, 79 days			18. Thawan II	—
—		Phin Choonhavan ผิน ชุณหะวัณ (1891–1973)	8 November 1947	10 November 1947	2 days		Military	Coup Group (interim)
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	10 November 1947	8 April 1948	150 days		Democrat	19. Khuang III
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	10 November 1947	8 April 1948	150 days		Democrat	20. Khuang IV	1948
(3)		Plaek Phibunsongkhram แปลก พิบูลสงคราม (1897–1964)	8 April 1948	16 September 1957 (deposed.)	9 years, 161 days		^[1]	21. Plaek III	—
								22. Plaek IV
								23. Plaek V	—
								24. Plaek VI	—
								25. Plaek VII	1952
							Seri Manangkhasila	26. Plaek VIII	1957
—		Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	16 September 1957	21 September 1957	5 days		Military	Coup Group (interim)	—
9		Pote Sarasin พจน์ สารสิน (1905–2000)	21 September 1957	1 January 1958	102 days		Independent	27. Pote	—
10		Thanom Kittikachorn ถนอม กิตติขจร (1911–2004)	1 January 1958	20 October 1958	292 days		National Socialist^[2]	28. Thanom I	1957
11		Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	20 October 1958	8 December 1963 (died in office.)	5 years, 49 days		Military	Revolution Group (interim)	—
11		Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	20 October 1958	8 December 1963 (died in office.)	5 years, 49 days		Military	29. Sarit I
(10)		Thanom Kittikachorn ถนอม กิตติขจร (1911–2004)	9 December 1963	14 October 1973 (resigned.)	9 years, 309 days		Military	30. Thanom II
							United Thai People	31. Thanom III	1969
							Military	Revolution Group (interim)	—
							Military	32. Thanom IV
12		Sanya Dharmasakti สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์ (1907–2002)	14 October 1973	15 February 1975	1 year, 124 days		Independent	33. Sanya I
12		Sanya Dharmasakti สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์ (1907–2002)	14 October 1973	15 February 1975	1 year, 124 days		Independent	34. Sanya II
(6)		Seni Pramoj เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	15 February 1975	14 March 1975	27 days		Democrat	35. Seni II	1975
13		Kukrit Pramoj คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช (1911–1995)	14 March 1975	20 April 1976	1 year, 37 days		Social Action	36. Kukrit	—
(6)		Seni Pramoj เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	20 April 1976	6 October 1976 (deposed.)	169 days		Democrat	37. Seni III	1976
(6)		Seni Pramoj เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	20 April 1976	6 October 1976 (deposed.)	169 days		Democrat	38. Seni IV	—
—		Sangad Chaloryu สงัด ชลออยู่ (1915–1980)	6 October 1976	8 October 1976	2 days		Military	Administration Reform Council (interim)
14		Thanin Kraivichien ธานินทร์ กรัยวิเชียร (born 1927)	8 October 1976	20 October 1977 (deposed.)	1 year, 34 days		Independent	39. Thanin
—		Sangad Chaloryu สงัด ชลออยู่ (1915–1980)	20 October 1977	10 November 1977	21 days		Military	Revolution Group (interim)
15		Kriangsak Chamanan เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันทน์ (1917–2003)	11 November 1977	3 March 1980	2 years, 113 days		Military	40. Kriangsak I
15		Kriangsak Chamanan เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันทน์ (1917–2003)	11 November 1977	3 March 1980	2 years, 113 days		Independent	41. Kriangsak II	1979
16		Prem Tinsulanonda เปรม ติณสูลานนท์ (1920–2019)	3 March 1980	4 August 1988	8 years, 154 days		Military	42. Prem I	—
							Independent	43. Prem II	1983
							Independent	44. Prem III	1986
17		Chatichai Choonhavan ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ (1920–1998)	4 August 1988	23 February 1991 (deposed.)	2 years, 204 days		Chart Thai	45. Chatchai I	1988
17		Chatichai Choonhavan ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ (1920–1998)	4 August 1988	23 February 1991 (deposed.)	2 years, 204 days		Chart Thai	46. Chatchai II	—
—		Sunthorn Kongsompong สุนทร คงสมพงษ์ (1931–1999)	24 February 1991	2 March 1991	6 days		Military	National Peace Keeping Council (interim)
18		Anand Panyarachun อานันท์ ปันยารชุน (born 1932)	2 March 1991	7 April 1992	1 year, 36 days		Independent	47. Anand I
19		Suchinda Kraprayoon สุจินดา คราประยูร (born 1933)	7 April 1992	24 May 1992 (resigned.)	47 days		Independent	48. Suchinda	1992
—		Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) Acting Prime Minister	24 May 1992	10 June 1992	17 days		Independent	48. Suchinda	—
(18)		Anand Panyarachun อานันท์ ปันยารชุน (born 1932)	10 June 1992	23 September 1992	105 days		Independent	49. Anand II	—
20		Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938)	23 September 1992	13 July 1995	2 years, 293 days		Democrat	50. Chuan I	1992
21		Banharn Silpa-archa บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา (1932–2016)	13 July 1995	25 November 1996	1 year, 135 days		Chart Thai	51. Banharn	1995
22		Chavalit Yongchaiyudh ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ (born 1932)	25 November 1996	9 November 1997 (resigned.)	349 days		New Aspiration	52. Chavalit	1996
(20)		Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938)	9 November 1997	9 February 2001	3 years, 92 days		Democrat	53. Chuan II	—
23		Thaksin Shinawatra ทักษิณ ชินวัตร (born 1949)	9 February 2001	19 September 2006 (deposed.)	5 years, 222 days		Thai Rak Thai	54. Thaksin I	2001
23		Thaksin Shinawatra ทักษิณ ชินวัตร (born 1949)	9 February 2001	19 September 2006 (deposed.)	5 years, 222 days		Thai Rak Thai	55. Thaksin II	2005
—		Sonthi Boonyaratglin สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน (born 1946)	19 September 2006	1 October 2006	12 days		Military	Council for National Security (interim)	—
24		Surayud Chulanont สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ (born 1943)	1 October 2006	29 January 2008	1 year, 120 days		Independent	56. Surayud	—
25		Samak Sundaravej สมัคร สุนทรเวช (1935–2009)	29 January 2008	9 September 2008	224 days		People's Power	57. Samak	2007
26		Somchai Wongsawat สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ (born 1947)	18 September 2008	2 December 2008	75 days		People's Power	57. Samak	—
26		Somchai Wongsawat สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ (born 1947)	18 September 2008	2 December 2008	75 days		People's Power	58. Somchai
—		Chavarat Charnvirakul ชวรัตน์ ชาญวีรกูล (born 1936) Acting Prime Minister	2 December 2008	17 December 2008	15 days		Independent	58. Somchai
27		Abhisit Vejjajiva อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ (born 1964)	17 December 2008	5 August 2011	2 years, 231 days		Democrat	59. Abhisit
28		Yingluck Shinawatra ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร (born 1967)	5 August 2011	7 May 2014	2 years, 275 days		Pheu Thai	60. Yingluck	2011
—		Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan นิวัฒน์ธำรง บุญทรงไพศาล (born 1948) Acting Prime Minister	7 May 2014	22 May 2014 (deposed.)	15 days		Pheu Thai	60. Yingluck	—
29		Prayut Chan-o-cha ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา (born 1954)	22 May 2014^[3]	Incumbent	7 years, 245 days		Military	National Council for Peace and Order (interim)
							Military	61. Prayut I		Vajiralongkorn (2016–)
							Palang Pracharath	62. Prayut II	2019	Vajiralongkorn (2016–)

Timeline[]

Living former prime ministers[]

As of January 2022, there are ten living former Thai prime ministers.

Name	Term of office	Date of birth	Political party
Thanin Kraivichien	1976–1977	(1927-04-05) 5 April 1927 (age 94)	non-partisan
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh	1996–1997	(1932-05-15) 15 May 1932 (age 89)	New Aspiration Party
Anand Panyarachun	1991–1992, 1992	(1932-08-09) 9 August 1932 (age 89)	non-partisan
Suchinda Kraprayoon	1992	(1933-08-06) 6 August 1933 (age 88)	Military
Chuan Leekpai	1992–1995; 1997–2001	(1938-07-28) 28 July 1938 (age 83)	Democrat Party
Surayud Chulanont	2006–2008	(1943-08-28) 28 August 1943 (age 78)	non-partisan (Military)
Somchai Wongsawat	2008	(1947-08-31) 31 August 1947 (age 74)	People's Power Party
Thaksin Shinawatra	2001–2006	(1949-07-26) 26 July 1949 (age 72)	Thai Rak Thai
Abhisit Vejjajiva	2008–2011	(1964-08-03) 3 August 1964 (age 57)	Democrat Party
Yingluck Shinawatra	2011–2014	(1967-06-21) 21 June 1967 (age 54)	Pheu Thai Party

References[]

Citations

^ หลักการและนโยบายของชุมนุมธรรมาธิปัตย์. [พระนคร: โรงพิมพ์สหการพานิช], 2490.
^ Thak Chaloemtiarana (2007), Thailand: The Politics of Despotic Paternalism, Ithaca NY: Cornell Southeast Asia Program, p. 88, ISBN 978-0-8772-7742-2
^ 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. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.

Links

Cabinet of Thailand (2010). "History of Thai Prime Ministers". www.soc.go.th. Retrieved 17 May 2012.
World Statesmen.org (2010). "Thailand". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 20 May 2012.

External links[]

LIST OF THAI PRIME MINISTERS with names also in Thai

[1] หลักการและนโยบายของชุมนุมธรรมาธิปัตย์. [พระนคร: โรงพิมพ์สหการพานิช], 2490.

[2] Thak Chaloemtiarana (2007), Thailand: The Politics of Despotic Paternalism, Ithaca NY: Cornell Southeast Asia Program, p. 88, ISBN 978-0-8772-7742-2

[3] 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. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t Lists related to the prime ministers of Thailand
Main	List of prime ministers of Thailand
Rankings	Time in office
Personal life	Education
Spouse	Spouses
Deputy	Deputy prime ministers

v t Prime ministers of Thailand (List)
King Rama VII	Phraya Manopakorn Nititada Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena
King Rama VIII	Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena Plaek Phibunsongkhram Khuang Aphaiwong Thawi Bunyaket Seni Pramoj Khuang Aphaiwong Pridi Banomyong
King Rama IX	Pridi Banomyong Thawan Thamrongnawasawat Khuang Aphaiwong Plaek Phibunsongkhram Pote Sarasin Thanom Kittikachorn Sarit Thanarat Thanom Kittikachorn Sanya Dharmasakti Seni Pramoj Kukrit Pramoj Seni Pramoj Thanin Kraivichien Kriangsak Chomanan Prem Tinsulanonda Chatichai Choonhavan Anand Panyarachun Suchinda Kraprayoon Meechai Ruchuphan† Anand Panyarachun Chuan Leekpai Banharn Silpa-archa Chavalit Yongchaiyudh Chuan Leekpai Thaksin Shinawatra Chitchai Wannasathit† Thaksin Shinawatra Surayud Chulanont Samak Sundaravej Somchai Wongsawat Chaovarat Chanweerakul† Abhisit Vejjajiva Yingluck Shinawatra Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan† Prayut Chan-o-cha
King Rama X	Prayut Chan-o-cha
"italics" indicate military officeholders "†" indicate acting or caretaker officeholders.

v t Cabinets of Thailand since 1932 by Prime Ministers
1932–1973	People's Committee Phibun I
1973–present	Surayud Samak Somchai Abhisit Yingluck Prayut I Prayut II
Military Councils	Coup Group (Phibunsongkhram) National Peace Keeping Council (Sunthorn) Council for National Security (Sonthi) National Council for Peace and Order (Prayut)

v t Leaders of Southeast Asian countries
Heads of state	Brunei (Monarch) Cambodia (Monarch) East Timor (President) Indonesia (President) (list) Laos (President) Malaysia (Monarch) Myanmar (President) (list) Philippines (President) (list) Singapore (President) Thailand (Monarch) (list) Vietnam (President) (list)
Heads of government	Brunei Cambodia (list) East Timor Indonesia (list) Laos Malaysia Myanmar (list) Philippines (list) Singapore Thailand (list) Vietnam (list)
Supreme leaders	Laos Myanmar Vietnam
Defunct heads of state and government	Burma (Monarch) Dutch East Indies (Governor-General) Indonesia (Prime Minister) Laos (Monarch) Myanmar (State Counsellor) Philippines (Governor-General) (Prime Minister) Vietnam (Monarch) South Vietnam (leaders)
ASEAN