List of prime ministers of Thailand

The prime minister of Thailand (Template:Lang-th; 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	rowspan="3" style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color" \|	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	rowspan="5" style="background:Template:Khana Ratsadon/meta/color" \|	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	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Khana Ratsadon/meta/color" \|	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	10. Plaek II	Khana Ratsadon (Military faction)	—
4		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	1 August 1944	31 August 1945	1 year, 30 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent			11. Khuang I
5		Thawi Bunyaket ทวี บุณยเกตุ (1904–1971)	31 August 1945	17 September 1945	17 days	style="background:Template:Free Thai Movement/meta/color;" \|	Free Thai			12. Tawee I
6		Seni Pramoj เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	17 September 1945	31 January 1946	136 days	style="background:Template:Free Thai Movement/meta/color;" \|	Free Thai			13. Seni I
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	31 January 1946	24 March 1946	52 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent	14. Khuang II		1946
7		Pridi Banomyong ปรีดี พนมยงค์ (1900–1983)	24 March 1946	23 August 1946	152 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Free Thai Movement/meta/color;" \|	Free Thai	15. Pridi I		—
7		Pridi Banomyong ปรีดี พนมยงค์ (1900–1983)	24 March 1946	23 August 1946	152 days	16. Pridi II	Free Thai	Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946–2016)		—
8		Thawan Thamrongnawasawat ถวัลย์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์ (1901–1988)	23 August 1946	8 November 1947 (deposed.)	1 year, 79 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Constitutional Front (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	Constitutional Front		17. Thawan I	1946
8			23 August 1946	8 November 1947 (deposed.)	1 year, 79 days	18. Thawan II	Constitutional Front		—
—		Phin Choonhavan ผิน ชุณหะวัณ (1891–1973)	8 November 1947	10 November 1947	2 days	style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military			Coup Group (interim)
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	10 November 1947	8 April 1948	150 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Democrat Party (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	Democrat			19. Khuang III
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	10 November 1947	8 April 1948	150 days	20. Khuang IV	Democrat		1948
(3)		Plaek Phibunsongkhram แปลก พิบูลสงคราม (1897–1964)	8 April 1948	16 September 1957 (deposed.)	9 years, 161 days	rowspan="5" style="background:Template:Conservative Party (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	Conservative Party^[1]		21. Plaek III	—
						22. Plaek IV			1949
						23. Plaek V			—
						24. Plaek VI			—
						25. Plaek VII			1952
						style="background:Template:Seri Manangkhasila Party/meta/color;" \|	Seri Manangkhasila		26. Plaek VIII	1957
—		Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	16 September 1957	21 September 1957	5 days	style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military		Coup Group (interim)	—
9		Pote Sarasin พจน์ สารสิน (1905–2000)	21 September 1957	1 January 1958	102 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent		27. Pote	—
10		Thanom Kittikachorn ถนอม กิตติขจร (1911–2004)	1 January 1958	20 October 1958	292 days	style="background:Template:National Socialist Party/meta/color;" \|	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	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military		Revolution Group (interim)	—
11		Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	20 October 1958	8 December 1963 (died in office.)	5 years, 49 days	29. Sarit I	Military
(10)		Thanom Kittikachorn ถนอม กิตติขจร (1911–2004)	9 December 1963	14 October 1973 (resigned.)	9 years, 309 days	rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military		30. Thanom II
						style="background:Template:United Thai People's Party/meta/color;" \|	United Thai People		31. Thanom III	1969
						rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military		Revolution Group (interim)	—
						rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military		32. Thanom IV
12		Sanya Dharmasakti สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์ (1907–2002)	14 October 1973	15 February 1975	1 year, 124 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent		33. Sanya I
12		Sanya Dharmasakti สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์ (1907–2002)	14 October 1973	15 February 1975	1 year, 124 days	34. Sanya II	Independent
(6)		Seni Pramoj เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	15 February 1975	14 March 1975	27 days	style="background:Template:Democrat Party (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	Democrat		35. Seni II	1975
13		Kukrit Pramoj คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช (1911–1995)	14 March 1975	20 April 1976	1 year, 37 days	style="background:Template:Social Action Party/meta/color;" \|	Social Action		36. Kukrit	—
(6)		Seni Pramoj เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	20 April 1976	6 October 1976 (deposed.)	169 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Democrat Party (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	Democrat		37. Seni III	1976
(6)		Seni Pramoj เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	20 April 1976	6 October 1976 (deposed.)	169 days	38. Seni IV	Democrat		—
—		Sangad Chaloryu สงัด ชลออยู่ (1915–1980)	6 October 1976	8 October 1976	2 days	rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military			Administration Reform Council (interim)
14		Thanin Kraivichien ธานินทร์ กรัยวิเชียร (born 1927)	8 October 1976	20 October 1977 (deposed.)	1 year, 34 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent			39. Thanin
—		Sangad Chaloryu สงัด ชลออยู่ (1915–1980)	20 October 1977	10 November 1977	21 days	rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military			Revolution Group (interim)
15		Kriangsak Chamanan เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันทน์ (1917–2003)	11 November 1977	3 March 1980	2 years, 113 days	style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military			40. Kriangsak I
15		Kriangsak Chamanan เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันทน์ (1917–2003)	11 November 1977	3 March 1980	2 years, 113 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent		41. Kriangsak II	1979
16		Prem Tinsulanonda เปรม ติณสูลานนท์ (1920–2019)	3 March 1980	4 August 1988	8 years, 154 days	rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military		42. Prem I	—
						rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent		43. Prem II	1983
						44. Prem III	Independent		1986
17		Chatichai Choonhavan ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ (1920–1998)	4 August 1988	23 February 1991 (deposed.)	2 years, 204 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Thai Nation Party/meta/color;" \|	Chart Thai		45. Chatchai I	1988
17		Chatichai Choonhavan ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ (1920–1998)	4 August 1988	23 February 1991 (deposed.)	2 years, 204 days	46. Chatchai II	Chart Thai		—
—		Sunthorn Kongsompong สุนทร คงสมพงษ์ (1931–1999)	24 February 1991	2 March 1991	6 days	rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military			National Peace Keeping Council (interim)
18		Anand Panyarachun อานันท์ ปันยารชุน (born 1932)	2 March 1991	7 April 1992	1 year, 36 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent			47. Anand I
19		Suchinda Kraprayoon สุจินดา คราประยูร (born 1933)	7 April 1992	24 May 1992 (resigned.)	47 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent		48. Suchinda	1992
—		Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) Acting Prime Minister	24 May 1992	10 June 1992	17 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent		48. Suchinda	—
(18)		Anand Panyarachun อานันท์ ปันยารชุน (born 1932)	10 June 1992	23 September 1992	105 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent		49. Anand II	—
20		Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938)	23 September 1992	13 July 1995	2 years, 293 days	style="background:Template:Democrat Party (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	Democrat		50. Chuan I	1992
21		Banharn Silpa-archa บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา (1932–2016)	13 July 1995	25 November 1996	1 year, 135 days	style="background:Template:Thai Nation Party/meta/color;" \|	Chart Thai		51. Banharn	1995
22		Chavalit Yongchaiyudh ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ (born 1932)	25 November 1996	9 November 1997 (resigned.)	349 days	style="background:Template:New Aspiration Party/meta/color;" \|	New Aspiration		52. Chavalit	1996
(20)		Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938)	9 November 1997	9 February 2001	3 years, 92 days	style="background:Template:Democrat Party (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	Democrat		53. Chuan II	—
23		Thaksin Shinawatra ทักษิณ ชินวัตร (born 1949)	9 February 2001	19 September 2006 (deposed.)	5 years, 222 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Thai Rak Thai/meta/color;" \|	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	55. Thaksin II	Thai Rak Thai		2005
—		Sonthi Boonyaratglin สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน (born 1946)	19 September 2006	1 October 2006	12 days	rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military		Council for National Security (interim)	—
24		Surayud Chulanont สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ (born 1943)	1 October 2006	29 January 2008	1 year, 120 days	style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|	Independent		56. Surayud	—
25		Samak Sundaravej สมัคร สุนทรเวช (1935–2009)	29 January 2008	9 September 2008	224 days	style="background:Template:People's Power Party (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	People's Power		57. Samak	2007
26		Somchai Wongsawat สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ (born 1947)	18 September 2008	2 December 2008	75 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Thai Rak Thai/meta/color;" \|	People's Power		57. Samak	—
26		Somchai Wongsawat สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ (born 1947)	18 September 2008	2 December 2008	75 days	58. Somchai	People's Power
—		Chavarat Charnvirakul ชวรัตน์ ชาญวีรกูล (born 1936) Acting Prime Minister	2 December 2008	17 December 2008	15 days	58. Somchai	rowspan="1" style="background:Template:Independent politician/meta/color;" \|		Independent
27		Abhisit Vejjajiva อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ (born 1964)	17 December 2008	5 August 2011	2 years, 231 days	style="background:Template:Democrat Party (Thailand)/meta/color;" \|	Democrat		59. Abhisit
28		Yingluck Shinawatra ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร (born 1967)	5 August 2011	7 May 2014	2 years, 275 days	style="background:Template:Pheu Thai Party/meta/color;" \|	Pheu Thai		60. Yingluck	2011
—		Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan นิวัฒน์ธำรง บุญทรงไพศาล (born 1948) Acting Prime Minister	7 May 2014	22 May 2014 (deposed.)	15 days	style="background:Template:Pheu Thai Party/meta/color;" \|	Pheu Thai		60. Yingluck	—
29		Prayut Chan-o-cha ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา (born 1954)	22 May 2014^[3]	Incumbent	10 years, 212 days	rowspan="2" style="background:Template:Military rule/meta/color;" \|	Military		National Council for Peace and Order (interim)
						61. Prayut I	Military	Vajiralongkorn (2016–)
						style="background:Template:Palang Pracharath Party/meta/color;" \|	Palang Pracharath	Vajiralongkorn (2016–)	62. Prayut II	2019

Timeline

Living former prime ministers

As of December 2024, 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 97)	non-partisan
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh	1996–1997	(1932-05-15) 15 May 1932 (age 92)	New Aspiration Party
Anand Panyarachun	1991–1992, 1992	(1932-08-09) 9 August 1932 (age 92)	non-partisan
Suchinda Kraprayoon	1992	(1933-08-06) 6 August 1933 (age 91)	Military
Chuan Leekpai	1992–1995; 1997–2001	(1938-07-28) 28 July 1938 (age 86)	Democrat Party
Surayud Chulanont	2006–2008	(1943-08-28) 28 August 1943 (age 81)	non-partisan (Military)
Somchai Wongsawat	2008	(1947-08-31) 31 August 1947 (age 77)	People's Power Party
Thaksin Shinawatra	2001–2006	(1949-07-26) 26 July 1949 (age 75)	Thai Rak Thai
Abhisit Vejjajiva	2008–2011	(1964-08-03) 3 August 1964 (age 60)	Democrat Party
Yingluck Shinawatra	2011–2014	(1967-06-21) 21 June 1967 (age 57)	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). 131, Special Part 159 D. Bangkok: Cabinet Secretariat: 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). 131, Special Part 159 D. Bangkok: Cabinet Secretariat: 1. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.

[1]

[2]

[3]

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

v t e Prime ministers of Thailand (list)
Prajadhipok	Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena
Ananda Mahidol	Phraya Phahon Phonphayuhasena Plaek Phibunsongkhram Khuang Aphaiwong Thawi Bunyaket Seni Pramoj Khuang Aphaiwong Pridi Banomyong
Bhumibol Adulyadej	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 Chamanan 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 Chavarat Charnvirakul† Abhisit Vejjajiva Yingluck Shinawatra Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan† Prayut Chan-o-cha
Vajiralongkorn	Prayut Chan-o-cha Prawit Wongsuwon† Prayut Chan-o-cha Srettha Thavisin Phumtham Wechayachai† Paetongtarn Shinawatra
"italics" indicate military officeholders "†" indicate acting or caretaker officeholders.

v t e Cabinets of Thailand since 1932 by prime ministers
1932–1973	People's Committee Manopakorn Phahon Phibun I Khuang I Thawi Seni I Khuang II Pridi Thawan Khuang III Phibun II Pote Thanom I Sarit Thanom II
1973–2001	Sanya Kukrit Seni II Thanin Kriangsak Prem Chatichai Anand I Suchinda Anand II Chuan I Banharn Chavalit Chuan II
2001–present	Thaksin Surayud Samak Somchai Abhisit Yingluck Prayut I Prayut II Srettha Paetongtarn
Military councils	National Military Council (Phibunsongkhram) Revolutionary Council (Sarit) National Executive Council (Thanom) National Administrative Reform Council (Sangad) National Peace Keeping Council (Sunthorn) Council for National Security (Sonthi) National Council for Peace and Order (Prayut)

v t e 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) (list) 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) South Vietnam (leaders)
ASEAN

List of prime ministers

Timeline

Living former prime ministers

See also

References

External links