# Speaker of the House of Representatives (Thailand)

The Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand (Thai: ประธานสภาผู้แทนราษฎร, RTGS: Prathan Sapha Phuthaen Ratsadon, pronounced) 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.

## 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).

## 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.
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 | Term of office | Party | Party |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Took office | Left office | Party | Party |
| 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) |
| 24 | | Chai Chidchob ชัย ชิดชอบ (1928–2020) | 15 May 2008 | 10 May 2011 | | 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