Speaker of the House of Representatives (Thailand)

The Speaker of the House of Representatives (Thai: ประธานสภาผู้แทนราษฎร, RTGS: Prathan Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon, pronounced [prā.tʰāːn sā.pʰāː pʰûː.tʰɛ̄ːn râːt.sā.dɔ̄ːn]) is the presiding officer of the lower chamber of the National Assembly of Thailand. The Speaker of the House of Representatives is also the ex officio President of the National Assembly of Thailand. The Speaker of the House of Representatives is an MP, usually from the majority party in the House of Representatives. The Speaker or the President is elected at the beginning of a House session immediately after an election, there are no term limits for the office.^[2]

Speaker of House of Representatives ประธานสภาผู้แทนราษฎร
Seal of the National Assembly of Thailand
Incumbent Wan Muhamad Noor Matha since 5 July 2023
House of Representatives Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives
Style	Mr. Speaker or Mr. President (informal) The Honourable (formal)
Status	Presiding officer
Member of	National Assembly House of Representatives
Seat	Sappaya-Sapasathan
Nominator	Vote within the House of Representatives
Appointer	Monarch
Term length	According to the term of the House of Representatives
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Thailand
Inaugural holder	Chaophraya Thammasakmontri
Formation	28 June 1932; 93 years ago (1932-06-28)
Salary	฿75,590 monthly[1]

History

The office of the Speaker 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 (Sanan Thephasadin na Ayutthaya).^[3]

Powers

The Speaker is entrusted with certain 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.^[4]

His duties include:

• Filling a vacancy of a Party list MP, by submitting a name on the list for publication in the Royal Gazette.
• Submitting to the King the name of the Prime Minister-elect to be formally appointed, then countersigning it.
• Countersigning the King's appointment of the Leader of the Opposition.
• Being an ex officio member of the Selection committee for:
  • Constitutional Court Judges
  • Election Commissioners
  • Ombudsmen
  • National Anti-Corruption Commissioners

List of speakers of the House of Representatives

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Party
			Took office	Left office
1		Chaophraya Thammasakmontri เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี (1877–1943)	28 June 1932	1 September 1932		Independent
2		Chaophraya Phichaiyat เจ้าพระยาพิชัยญาติ (1875–1946)	2 September 1932	10 December 1933		Independent
(1)		Chaophraya Thammasakmontri เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี (1877–1943)	15 December 1933	26 February 1934		Independent
3		Phraya Sorayuthaseni พระยาศรยุทธเสนี (1888–1962)	26 February 1934	22 September 1934		People's
4		Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ (1885–1976)	22 September 1934	31 July 1936		Independent
5		Phraya Manwaratchasewi พระยามานวราชเสวี (1890–1984)	3 August 1936	24 June 1943		Independent
(3)		Phraya Sorayuthaseni พระยาศรยุทธเสนี (1888–1962)	6 July 1943	24 June 1944		People's
(5)		Phraya Manwaratchasewi พระยามานวราชเสวี (1890–1984)	2 July 1944	3 June 1946		Independent
6		Kasem Boonsri เกษม บุญศรี (1905–1988)	4 June 1946	10 May 1947		Democrat
7		Pheng Srichan พึ่ง ศรีจันทร์ (1907–1992)	13 May 1947	8 November 1947		Independent
(6)		Kasem Boonsri เกษม บุญศรี (1905–1988)	20 February 1948	14 June 1949		Democrat
8		Phraya Thammanithet พระราชธรรมนิเทศ (1891–1965)	15 June 1949	29 November 1951		Independent
9		Phra Prachonpachanuk พระประจนปัจจนึก (1892–1970)	1 December 1951	16 September 1957		Independent
10		Luang Sutthisanronnakon หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร (1901–1968)	20 September 1957	14 December 1957		Independent
(9)		Phra Prachonpachanuk พระประจนปัจจนึก (1892–1970)	27 December 1957	20 October 1958		Independent
11		Siri Siriyothin ศิริ สิริโยธิน (1915–1979)	10 February 1969	17 November 1971		United Thai People's
12		Prasit Kanchanawat ประสิทธิ์ กาญจนวัฒน์ (1915–1999)	7 February 1975	12 January 1976		Social Nationalist
13		Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938)	19 April 1976	6 October 1976		Democrat
14		Boontheng Thongsawat บุญเท่ง ทองสวัสดิ์ (1912–1999)	9 May 1979	19 March 1983		Social Action
(13)		Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938)	27 April 1983	1 May 1986		Progress
15		Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938)	4 August 1986	29 April 1988		Democrat
16		Panja Kesornthong ปัญจะ เกสรทอง (born 1946)	3 August 1988	23 February 1991		Thai Nation
17		Arthit Ourairat อาทิตย์ อุไรรัตน์ (born 1938)	3 April 1992	30 June 1992		Justice Unity
18		Marut Bunnag มารุต บุนนาค (1924–2022)	22 September 1992	19 May 1995		Democrat
19		Booneua Prasertsuwan บุญเอื้อ ประเสริฐสุวรรณ (1919–2016)	11 July 1995	27 September 1996		Thai Nation
20		Wan Muhamad Noor Matha วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา (born 1944)	24 November 1996	27 June 2000		New Aspiration
21		Bhichai Rattakul พิชัย รัตตกุล (1924–2022)	30 June 2000	9 November 2000		Democrat
(13)		Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938)	6 February 2001	5 January 2005		Thai Rak Thai
22		Pokin Palakul โภคิน พลกุล (born 1952)	8 March 2005	24 February 2006		Thai Rak Thai
23		Yongyuth Tiyapairat ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช (born 1961)	24 January 2008	30 April 2008		People's Power
24		Chai Chidchob ชัย ชิดชอบ (1928–2020)	15 May 2008	10 May 2011		People's Power (until 2008)
						Bhumjaithai (from 2008)
25		Somsak Kiatsuranont สมศักดิ์ เกียรติสุรนนท์ (born 1954)	3 August 2011	9 December 2013		Pheu Thai
(15)		Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938)	28 May 2019	20 March 2023		Democrat
(20)		Wan Muhamad Noor Matha วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา (born 1944)	5 July 2023	Incumbent		Prachachart

Sources

• Various editions of The Europa World Year Book