List of prime ministers of Thailand

Top left: Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada was the first prime minister of Thailand.
Top right: Plaek Phibunsongkhram was the longest-serving prime minister.
Bottom left: Yingluck Shinawatra was the first female prime minister of Thailand.
Bottom right: Srettha Thavisin is the current prime minister.

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 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.

Former prime minister who also a 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.^[1]^[2]

The current prime minister is Srettha Thavisin, who was elected to office on 22 August 2023.^[3]^[4]

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[edit]

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) UTPP (1)

Post–2000: Social Action Party (1) 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 (3) United Thai Nation Party (1)

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office			Election	Party		Government	Monarch (Reign)
No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Duration	Election	Party		Government	Monarch (Reign)
1		Phraya Manopakorn Nitithada พระยามโนปกรณ์นิติธาดา (1884–1948)	28 June 1932	20 June 1933	357 days	—		Independent	Manopakorn I	Prajadhipok (1925–1935)
						—			Manopakorn II
						—			Manopakorn III
2		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
						—			Phahon III	Ananda Mahidol (1935–1946)
						1937			Phahon IV
						—			Phahon V
3		Plaek Phibunsongkhram แปลก พิบูลสงคราม (1897–1964)	16 December 1938	1 August 1944	5 years, 229 days	1938		People's Party	Plaek I
3		Plaek Phibunsongkhram แปลก พิบูลสงคราม (1897–1964)	16 December 1938	1 August 1944	5 years, 229 days	—		People's Party	Plaek II
4		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	1 August 1944	31 August 1945	1 year, 30 days	—		People's Party	Khuang I
5		Thawi Bunyaket ทวี บุณยเกตุ (1904–1971)	31 August 1945	17 September 1945	17 days	—		People's Party	Thawi
6		Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	17 September 1945	31 January 1946	136 days	—		Free Thai	Seni I
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	31 January 1946	24 March 1946	52 days	1946		People's Party	Khuang II
7		Pridi Banomyong ปรีดี พนมยงค์ (1900–1983)	24 March 1946	23 August 1946	152 days	—		People's Party	Pridi I
						—			Pridi I	Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946–2016)
						—			Pridi II
8		Thawan Thamrongnawasawat ถวัลย์ ธำรงนาวาสวัสดิ์ (1901–1988)	23 August 1946	8 November 1947	1 year, 79 days	—		Constitutional Front	Thawan I
8			23 August 1946	8 November 1947	1 year, 79 days	—		Constitutional Front	Thawan II
—		Phin Choonhavan ผิน ชุณหะวัณ (1891–1973)	8 November 1947	10 November 1947	2 days	—		Military	National Military Council
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	10 November 1947	8 April 1948	150 days	—		Democrat	Khuang III
(4)		Khuang Aphaiwong ควง อภัยวงศ์ (1902–1968)	10 November 1947	8 April 1948	150 days	1948		Democrat	Khuang IV
(3)		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
						1952		Seri Manangkhasila (from 1955)	Plaek VII
						Feb 1957		Seri Manangkhasila (from 1955)	Plaek VIII
—		Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	16 September 1957	21 September 1957	5 days	—		Military	Revolutionary Council
9		Pote Sarasin พจน์ สารสิน (1905–2000)	21 September 1957	1 January 1958	102 days	—		Independent	Pote
10		Thanom Kittikachorn ถนอม กิตติขจร (1911–2004)	1 January 1958	20 October 1958	292 days	Dec 1957		National Socialist^[5]	Thanom I
11		Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	20 October 1958	8 December 1963	5 years, 49 days	—		Military	Revolutionary Council
11		Sarit Thanarat สฤษดิ์ ธนะรัชต์ (1908–1963)	20 October 1958	8 December 1963	5 years, 49 days	—		Military	Sarit
(10)		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)	Thanom II
						1969		United Thai People (1968–1971)	Thanom III
						—		Military (from 1971)	Revolutionary Council
						—		Military (from 1971)	Thanom IV
12		Sanya Dharmasakti สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์ (1907–2002)	14 October 1973	15 February 1975	1 year, 124 days	—		Independent	Sanya I
12		Sanya Dharmasakti สัญญา ธรรมศักดิ์ (1907–2002)	14 October 1973	15 February 1975	1 year, 124 days	—		Independent	Sanya II
(6)		Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	15 February 1975	14 March 1975	27 days	1975		Democrat	Seni II
13		Mom Rajawongse Kukrit Pramoj หม่อมราชวงศ์คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช (1911–1995)	14 March 1975	20 April 1976	1 year, 37 days	—		Social Action	Kukrit
(6)		Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj หม่อมราชวงศ์เสนีย์ ปราโมช (1905–1997)	20 April 1976	6 October 1976	169 days	1976		Democrat	Seni III
(6)			20 April 1976	6 October 1976	169 days	—		Democrat	Seni IV
—		Sangad Chaloryu สงัด ชลออยู่ (1915–1980)	6 October 1976	8 October 1976	2 days	—		Military	National Administration Reform Council
14		Thanin Kraivichien ธานินทร์ กรัยวิเชียร (born 1927)	8 October 1976	20 October 1977	1 year, 12 days	—		Independent	Thanin
—		Sangad Chaloryu สงัด ชลออยู่ (1915–1980)	20 October 1977	10 November 1977	21 days	—		Military	Revolutionary Council
15		Kriangsak Chamanan เกรียงศักดิ์ ชมะนันท์ (1917–2003)	11 November 1977	3 March 1980	2 years, 113 days	—		Military (until 1978)	Kriangsak I
						—		Independent (from 1978)	Kriangsak I
						1979		Independent (from 1978)	Kriangsak II
16		Prem Tinsulanonda เปรม ติณสูลานนท์ (1920–2019)	3 March 1980	4 August 1988	8 years, 154 days	—		Military (until 1982)	Prem I
						—		Independent (from 1982)	Prem I
						1983			Prem II
						1986			Prem III
17		Chatichai Choonhavan ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ (1920–1998)	4 August 1988	23 February 1991	2 years, 203 days	1988		Thai Nation	Chatichai I
17		Chatichai Choonhavan ชาติชาย ชุณหะวัณ (1920–1998)	4 August 1988	23 February 1991	2 years, 203 days	—		Thai Nation	Chatichai II
—		Sunthorn Kongsompong สุนทร คงสมพงษ์ (1931–1999)	24 February 1991	2 March 1991	7 days	—		Military	National Peace Keeping Council
18		Anand Panyarachun อานันท์ ปันยารชุน (born 1932)	2 March 1991	7 April 1992	1 year, 36 days	—		Independent	Anand I
19		Suchinda Kraprayoon สุจินดา คราประยูร (born 1933)	7 April 1992	24 May 1992	47 days	Mar 1992		Independent	Suchinda
—		Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) Acting Prime Minister	24 May 1992	10 June 1992	17 days	—		Independent	Suchinda
(18)		Anand Panyarachun อานันท์ ปันยารชุน (born 1932)	10 June 1992	23 September 1992	105 days	—		Independent	Anand II
20		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 บรรหาร ศิลปอาชา (1932–2016)	13 July 1995	25 November 1996	1 year, 135 days	1995		Thai Nation	Banharn
22		Chavalit Yongchaiyudh ชวลิต ยงใจยุทธ (born 1932)	25 November 1996	9 November 1997	349 days	1996		New Aspiration	Chavalit
(20)		Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย born 1938)	9 November 1997	9 February 2001	3 years, 92 days	—		Democrat	Chuan II
23		Thaksin Shinawatra^[a] ทักษิณ ชินวัตร (born 1949)	9 February 2001	19 September 2006	5 years, 222 days	2001		Thai Rak Thai	Thaksin I
23		Thaksin Shinawatra^[a] ทักษิณ ชินวัตร (born 1949)	9 February 2001	19 September 2006	5 years, 222 days	2005		Thai Rak Thai	Thaksin II
—		Sonthi Boonyaratglin สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน (born 1946)	19 September 2006	1 October 2006	12 days	—		Military	Council for Democratic Reform
24		Surayud Chulanont สุรยุทธ์ จุลานนท์ (born 1943)	1 October 2006	29 January 2008	1 year, 120 days	—		Independent	Surayud
25		Samak Sundaravej สมัคร สุนทรเวช (1935–2009)	29 January 2008	9 September 2008	224 days	2007		People's Power	Samak
26		Somchai Wongsawat สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ (born 1947)	9 September 2008	18 September 2008	9 days	—		People's Power	Samak
26		Somchai Wongsawat สมชาย วงศ์สวัสดิ์ (born 1947)	18 September 2008	2 December 2008	75 days	—		People's Power	Somchai
—		Chavarat Charnvirakul ชวรัตน์ ชาญวีรกูล (born 1936) Acting Prime Minister	2 December 2008	17 December 2008	15 days	—		Independent	Somchai
27		Abhisit Vejjajiva อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ (born 1964)	17 December 2008	5 August 2011	2 years, 231 days	—		Democrat	Abhisit
28		Yingluck Shinawatra ยิ่งลักษณ์ ชินวัตร (born 1967)	5 August 2011	7 May 2014	2 years, 275 days	2011		Pheu Thai	Yingluck
—		Niwatthamrong Boonsongpaisan นิวัฒน์ธำรง บุญทรงไพศาล (born 1948) Acting Prime Minister	7 May 2014	22 May 2014	15 days	—		Pheu Thai	Yingluck
29		Prayut Chan-o-cha^[6]^[b] ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา (born 1954)	22 May 2014	22 August 2023	9 years, 92 days	—		Military (until 2014)	National Council for Peace and Order
						—		Military (until 2014)	Prayut I
								Independent^[c] (2014–2023)
										Vajiralongkorn (since 2016)
						2019			Prayut II
						2019		United Thai Nation (2023)	Prayut II
30		Srettha Thavisin^[3] เศรษฐา ทวีสิน (born 1962)	22 August 2023	Incumbent	239 days	2023		Pheu Thai	Srettha

Timeline[edit]

Notes[edit]

^ Thaksin was on administrative leave from 5 April 2006 to 23 May 2006, Chidchai Wannasathit served as acting prime minister while on administrative leave.
^ Suspended by the Constitutional Court from 24 August 2022 to 30 September 2022, Prawit Wongsuwan served as acting prime minister during the suspension.
^ Active with the Palang Pracharath Party from 2019 until 2022.

References[edit]

Citations

^ "Prayuth Chan-ocha: Thai court suspends PM and coup leader". BBC News. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
^ "Constitutional Court suspends Prayut". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 24 August 2022.
^ ^a ^b ประกาศแต่งตั้งนายกรัฐมนตรี ลงวันที่ 22 สิงหาคม 2566 Archived 23 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine ราชกิจจานุเบกษา เล่ม ๑๔๐ ตอนพิเศษ ๒๐๑ ง หน้า ๑ วันที่ ๒๓ สิงหาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๖
^ "Thai parliament picks Srettha Thavisin as next prime minister ending 3 months of political deadlock". CNN. 22 August 2023. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
^ 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.

Links

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

External links[edit]

LIST OF THAI PRIME MINISTERS with names also in Thai

[6] Thaksin was on administrative leave from 5 April 2006 to 23 May 2006, Chidchai Wannasathit served as acting prime minister while on administrative leave.

[8] Suspended by the Constitutional Court from 24 August 2022 to 30 September 2022, Prawit Wongsuwan served as acting prime minister during the suspension.

[9] Active with the Palang Pracharath Party from 2019 until 2022.

[1] "Prayuth Chan-ocha: Thai court suspends PM and coup leader". BBC News. 24 August 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2022.

[2] "Constitutional Court suspends Prayut". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 24 August 2022.

[auto9-3] ประกาศแต่งตั้งนายกรัฐมนตรี ลงวันที่ 22 สิงหาคม 2566 Archived 23 August 2023 at the Wayback Machine ราชกิจจานุเบกษา เล่ม ๑๔๐ ตอนพิเศษ ๒๐๑ ง หน้า ๑ วันที่ ๒๓ สิงหาคม พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๖

[4] "Thai parliament picks Srettha Thavisin as next prime minister ending 3 months of political deadlock". CNN. 22 August 2023. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.

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

[7] 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. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 August 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2014.

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[a]

[6]

[b]

[c]

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 Phahonphonphayuhasena
Ananda Mahidol	Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena 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† Srettha Thavisin
"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–present	Sanya Kukrit Seni II Thanin Kriangsak Prem Chatichai Anand I Suchinda Anand II Chuan I Banharn Chavalit Chuan II Thaksin Surayud Samak Somchai Abhisit Yingluck Prayut I Prayut II Srettha
Military Councils	Coup Group (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) 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[edit]

Timeline[edit]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]