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List of Prime Ministers of Thailand facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
photograph of Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada
photograph of Plaek Phibunsongkhram
photograph of Yingluck Shinawatra
photograph of Prayut Chan-o-cha

The prime minister of Thailand (Thai: นายกรัฐมนตรี; RTGS: Nayok Ratthamontri; literally 'chief minister of state') is the head of government 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 the Siamese Revolution of 1932 and Siam's first constitution. 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 current prime minister, former general Prayut Chan-o-cha, was formally appointed to the office on 24 August 2014; he previously served as the de facto head of government as leader of the National Council for Peace and Order after the coup d'état on 22 May 2014. A Constitutional Court ruling on the matter of his 8-year term limit led to Prayut's suspension from 24 August to 30 September 2022, during which his deputy prime minister, Prawit Wongsuwan served as acting prime minister of Thailand.

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

Colour key (for political coalitions/parties):

General categories:       Independent politician (12)       Military rule (7)

Defunct political parties:

Pre–1950:       Free Thai Movement (3)       Khana Ratsadon (2)       Constitutional Front (1)
1950–1975:       Conservative Party (1)       Seri Manangkhasila (1)       Sahaphum Party (0)       UTPP (1)
1975–2000:       Social Action Party (1)       Justice Unity Party (0)
Post–2000:       Chart Thai (2)       Thai Rak Thai Party (1)       People's Power Party (2)

Active political parties:       Democrat Party (6)       New Aspiration Party (1)       Pheu Thai Party (2)       Palang Pracharath Party (1)       United Thai Nation Party (1)

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Election Party Government Monarch
(Reign)
Took office Left office Duration
1 Official portraits of Phraya Manopakorn Nititada.jpg Phraya
Manopakorn Nitithada
พระยามโนปกรณ์นิติธาดา
(1884–1948)
28 June
1932
20 June
1933
358 days Independent Manopakorn I King Prajadhipok portrait photograph.jpg
Prajadhipok

(1925–1935)
Manopakorn II
Manopakorn III
2 Phraya Pahol.jpg Phraya
Phahonphonphayuhasena
พระยาพหลพลพยุหเสนา
(1887–1947)
21 June
1933
16 December
1938
5 years, 178 days People's Party Phahon I
1933 Phahon II
Phahon III
King Ananda Mahidol portrait photograph.jpg
Ananda Mahidol
(1935–1946)
1937 Phahon IV
Phahon V
3 Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram.jpg Plaek Phibunsongkhram
แปลก พิบูลสงคราม
(1897–1964)
16 December
1938
1 August
1944
5 years, 229 days 1938 People's Party Plaek I
Plaek II
4 ควง อภัยวงศ์ 2475.jpg Khuang Aphaiwong
ควง อภัยวงศ์
(1902–1968)
1 August
1944
31 August
1945
1 year, 30 days People's Party Khuang I
5 Tawee Boonyaket.jpg Thawi Bunyaket
ทวี บุณยเกตุ
(1904–1971)
31 August
1945
17 September
1945
17 days People's Party Thawi
6 Seni Pramoj in 1945 (cropped).jpg Mom Rajawongse
Seni Pramoj
หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช
(1905–1997)
17 September
1945
31 January
1946
136 days Free Thai Seni I
(4) ควง อภัยวงศ์ (cropped).jpg Khuang Aphaiwong
ควง อภัยวงศ์
(1902–1968)
31 January
1946
24 March
1946
52 days Jan
1946
People's Party Khuang II
7 Pridi Banomyong-portrait.jpg Pridi Banomyong
ปรีดี พนมยงค์
(1900–1983)
24 March
1946
23 August
1946
152 days People's Party Pridi I
Anefo 911-6993 Aankomst Koning (cropped).jpg
Bhumibol Adulyadej
(1946–2016)
Pridi II
8 ถวัลย์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์.jpg Thawan Thamrongnawasawat
ถวัลย์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์
(1901–1988)
23 August
1946
8 November
1947
1 year, 79 days Aug
1946
Constitutional Front Thawan I
Thawan II
Phin Choonhavan (cropped).jpg Phin Choonhavan
ผิน ชุณหะวัณ
(1891–1973)
8 November
1947
10 November
1947
2 days Military National Military Council
(4) Khuang Aphaiwong (cropped).jpg Khuang Aphaiwong
ควง อภัยวงศ์
(1902–1968)
10 November
1947
8 April
1948
150 days Democrat Khuang III
1948 Khuang IV
(3) แปลก พิบูลสงคราม ในหนังสือธรรมศาสตร์ (cropped).jpg Plaek Phibunsongkhram
แปลก พิบูลสงคราม
(1897–1964)
8 April
1948
16 September
1957
9 years, 161 days Conservative Party
(until 1955)
Plaek III
Plaek IV
Plaek V
Plaek VI
1952 Plaek VII
Seri Manangkhasila
(from 1955)
Feb
1957
Plaek VIII
Sarit Thanarat in 1950s.jpg Sarit Thanarat
สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์
(1908–1963)
16 September
1957
21 September
1957
5 days Military Revolutionary Council
9 พจน์ สารสิน.jpg Pote Sarasin
พจน์ สารสิน
(1905–2000)
21 September
1957
1 January
1958
102 days Independent Pote
10 Aankomst minister president van Thailand Z. E. veldmaarschalk Thanom Kittikachor, Bestanddeelnr 921-2857 (cropped).jpg Thanom Kittikachorn
ถนอม กิตติขจร
(1911–2004)
1 January
1958
20 October
1958
292 days Dec
1957
National Socialist Thanom I
11 Official portraits of Sarit Thanarat.jpg Sarit Thanarat
สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์
(1908–1963)
9 February
1959
8 December
1963
4 years, 302 days Military Revolutionary Council
Sarit
(10) Thanom Kittikachorn 1960s.jpg Thanom Kittikachorn
ถนอม กิตติขจร
(1911–2004)
9 December
1963
14 October
1973
9 years, 309 days Military
(until 1968)
Thanom II
United Thai People
(1968–1971)
1969 Thanom III
Military
(from 1971)
Revolutionary Council
Thanom IV
12 สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์.jpg Sanya Dharmasakti
สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์
(1907–2002)
14 October
1973
15 February
1975
1 year, 124 days Independent Sanya I
Sanya II
(6) Seni11 (cropped).jpg Mom Rajawongse
Seni Pramoj
หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช
(1905–1997)
15 February
1975
14 March
1975
27 days 1975 Democrat Seni II
13 คีกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช.jpg Mom Rajawongse
Kukrit Pramoj
หม่อมราชวงศ์คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช
(1911–1995)
14 March
1975
20 April
1976
1 year, 37 days Social Action Kukrit
(6) Seni11 (cropped).jpg Mom Rajawongse
Seni Pramoj
หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช
(1905–1997)
20 April
1976
6 October
1976
169 days 1976 Democrat Seni III
Seni IV
สงัด ชลออยู่.jpg Sangad Chaloryu
สงัด ชลออยู่
(1915–1980)
6 October
1976
8 October
1976
2 days Military Administration Reform Council
14 Thanin and Whitehouse (cropped).jpg Thanin Kraivichien
ธานินทร์ กรัยวิเชียร
(born 1927)
8 October
1976
20 October
1977
1 year, 34 days Independent Thanin
สงัด ชลออยู่.jpg Sangad Chaloryu
สงัด ชลออยู่
(1915–1980)
20 October
1977
10 November
1977
21 days Military Revolutionary Council
15 Kriangsak Chomanan.png Kriangsak Chamanan
เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันทน์
(1917–2003)
11 November
1977
3 March
1980
2 years, 113 days Military
(until 1978)
Kriangsak I
1979 Independent
(from 1978)
Kriangsak II
16 Prem Tinsulanoda cropped (cropped).JPG Prem Tinsulanonda
เปรม ติณสูลานนท์
(1920–2019)
3 March
1980
4 August
1988
8 years, 154 days Military
(until 1982)
Prem I
1983 Independent
(from 1982)
Prem II
1986 Prem III
17 Kukrit orders US military to leave (cropped).jpg Chatichai Choonhavan
ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ
(1920–1998)
4 August
1988
23 February
1991
2 years, 204 days 1988 Thai Nation Chatichai I
Chatichai II
GEN Sundhara Kongsompong, left center, Supreme Commander, Royal Thai Armed Forces, and U.S. Ambassador to Thailand cropped1.jpg Sunthorn Kongsompong
สุนทร คงสมพงษ์
(1931–1999)
24 February
1991
2 March
1991
7 days Military National Peace Keeping Council
18 Anand Panyarachun (cropped).jpg Anand Panyarachun
อานันท์ ปันยารชุน
(born 1932)
2 March
1991
7 April
1992
1 year, 36 days Independent Anand I
19 Seal of the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand.svg Suchinda Kraprayoon
สุจินดา คราประยูร
(born 1933)
7 April
1992
24 May
1992
47 days Mar
1992
Independent Suchinda
Seal of the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand.svg Meechai Ruchuphan
มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์
(born 1938)
Acting Prime Minister
24 May
1992
10 June
1992
17 days Independent
(18) Anand Panyarachun (cropped).jpg Anand Panyarachun
อานันท์ ปันยารชุน
(born 1932)
10 June
1992
23 September
1992
105 days Independent Anand II
20 Chuan Leekpai 1999 cropped.jpg Chuan Leekpai
ชวน หลีกภัย
(born 1938)
23 September
1992
13 July
1995
2 years, 293 days Sep
1992
Democrat Chuan I
21 Banharn Silpa-archa (cropped).jpg Banharn Silpa-archa
บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา
(1932–2016)
13 July
1995
25 November
1996
1 year, 135 days 1995 Thai Nation Banharn
22 Carlos Menem with Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (cropped).jpg Chavalit Yongchaiyudh
ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ
(born 1932)
25 November
1996
9 November
1997
349 days 1996 New Aspiration Chavalit
(20) Chuan Leekpai 1999 cropped.jpg Chuan Leekpai
ชวน หลีกภัย
(born 1938)
9 November
1997
9 February
2001
3 years, 92 days Democrat Chuan II
23 Thaksin DOD 20050915 (crop).jpg Thaksin Shinawatra
ทักษิณ ชินวัตร
(born 1949)
9 February
2001
19 September
2006
5 years, 222 days 2001 Thai Rak Thai Thaksin I
2005 Thaksin II
Sonthi Boonyaratglin (cropped).png Sonthi Boonyaratglin
สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน
(born 1946)
19 September
2006
1 October
2006
12 days Military Council for National Security
24 The Union Minister of External Affairs, Shri Pranab Mukherjee meeting with the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, Mr. General Surayud Chulanont, in New Delhi on June 26, 2007 (cropped).jpg Surayud Chulanont
สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์
(born 1943)
1 October
2006
29 January
2008
1 year, 120 days Independent Surayud
25 Samak Sundaravej.JPG Samak Sundaravej
สมัคร สุนทรเวช
(1935–2009)
29 January
2008
9 September
2008
224 days 2007 People's Power Samak
26 The Prime Minister of Thailand, Mr. Somchai Wangsawat meeting the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, in New Delhi on November 13, 2008 (cropped) (cropped).jpg Somchai Wongsawat
สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์
(born 1947)
18 September
2008
2 December
2008
75 days People's Power
Somchai
Chaovarat Chanweerakul (cropped).jpg Chavarat Charnvirakul
ชวรัตน์ ชาญวีรกูล
(born 1936)
Acting Prime Minister
2 December
2008
17 December
2008
15 days Independent
27 Abhisit Vejjajiva 2009 official.jpg Abhisit Vejjajiva
อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ
(born 1964)
17 December
2008
5 August
2011
2 years, 231 days Democrat Abhisit
28 9153ri-Yingluck Shinawatra.jpg Yingluck Shinawatra
ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร
(born 1967)
5 August
2011
7 May
2014
2 years, 275 days 2011 Pheu Thai Yingluck
Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan at Ministerial Conference 2013 crop.jpg Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan
นิวัฒน์ธำรง บุญทรงไพศาล
(born 1948)
Acting Prime Minister
7 May
2014
22 May
2014
15 days Pheu Thai
29 Prayut Chan-o-cha at the Enthronement of Naruhito (1).jpg Prayut Chan-o-cha
ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา
(born 1954)
24 August
2014
Outgoing 9 years, 218 days Military
(until 2014)
National Council for Peace and Order
Prayut I
Independent
(2014–2023)
King Rama X official (crop).png
Vajiralongkorn
(since 2016)
2019 Prayut II
United Thai Nation
(2023)
Prawit Wongsuwan (2018) cropped.jpg Prawit Wongsuwon
ประวิตร วงษ์สุวรรณ
(born 1945)
Acting Prime Minister
24 August
2022
30 September
2022
37 days Palang Pracharath
30 Srettha Thavisin - 20230326.jpg Srettha Thavisin
เศรษฐา ทวีสิน
(born 1963)
August
2023
Designate 2023 Pheu Thai Srettha

Timeline

Prawit WongsuwanPrayut Chan-o-chaNiwatthamrong BoonsongpaisanYingluck ShinawatraAbhisit VejjajivaChavarat CharnvirakulSomchai WongsawatSamak SundaravejSurayud ChulanontSonthi BoonyaratglinThaksin ShinawatraChawalit YongchaiyutBanharn Silpa-archaChuan LeekpaiMeechai RuchuphanSuchinda KraprayoonAnand PanyarachunSunthorn KongsompongChatichai ChoonhavanPrem TinsulanondaKriangsak ChamananThanin KraivichienSangad ChaloryuKukrit PramojSanya DharmasaktiThanom KittikachornPote SarasinSarit ThanaratPhin ChoonhavanThawan ThamrongnawasawatPridi BanomyongSeni PramojThawi BunyaketKhuang AphaiwongPlaek PhibunsongkhramPhraya PhahonphonphayuhasenaPhraya Manopakorn Nitithada

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Anexo:Primeros ministros de Tailandia para niños

  • Prime Minister of Thailand
  • Constitution of Thailand
  • Government of Thailand
  • Office of the Prime Minister (Thailand)
  • Cabinet of Thailand
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