# President of the National Assembly of Thailand

The president of the National Assembly (Thai: ประธานรัฐสภา, RTGS: Prathan Ratthasapha, pronounced) is the presiding officer (speaker) of the National Assembly of Thailand. Since 1992, the office has been an ex officio position occupied by the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand. The president is therefore an MP, usually from the majority party in the House of Representatives. The president is elected at the beginning of a House session immediately after an election, there are no term limits for the office. In the aftermath of the coup d'état in 2014, the function of legislative assembly was turned over to the junta-controlled National Legislative Assembly, which Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, President of the National Legislative Assembly, occupied the ex officio position of President of the National Assembly until the election of Wan Muhamad Noor Matha as Speaker of the House in 2023.
The office of the president of the National Assembly 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 and functions
### As president

The president of the National Assembly, apart from being the presiding officer of the National Assembly whenever there is a joint-sitting, is also the chief representative and leader of the legislative branch in Thailand. In the 2007 constitution the president of the National Assembly is given many powers. The President is assisted by the Vice President of the National Assembly, another ex officio position occupied by the president of the Senate.
* Countersign the King's appointment and removal of the president of the Privy Council and Regent of Thailand.
* Countersign the Royal Command for the amendment of the 1924 Palace Law of Succession.
* Inviting the Heir to ascend the Throne.
* Ensure all votes in the Assembly is recorded.
* Asking the Monarch to convoke an extraordinary session of the Assembly.

### As speaker

The speaker of the House of Representatives is the chief presiding officer of the House of Representatives. The speaker is also entrusted with some 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.
* 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.
* Countersign the King's appointment of the Leader of the Opposition.
* Be an ex officio member of the Selection committee for:
** Constitutional Court Judges
** Election Commissioners
** Ombudsmen
** National Anti-Corruption Commissioners

## List of presidents

Note: According to the 2007 Constitution of Thailand the office of President of the National Assembly of Thailand is held as an ex officio position by the speaker of the House of Representatives. However throughout Thailand's long constitutional history this has not always been the case, at certain times the office of 'President' of the legislature was sometimes held by the presiding officer of the upper house or that of a unicameral chamber.
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Term of office | Term of office | Party | Party | Position |
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) | Took office | Left office | Party | Party | Position |
| 1 | | Chaophraya Thammasakmontri เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี (1877–1943) | 28 June 1932 | 1 September 1932 | | Independent | President of the People's Assembly |
| 2 | | Chaophraya Phichaiyat เจ้าพระยาพิชัยญาติ (1875–1946) | 2 September 1932 | 10 December 1933 | | Independent | President of the People's Assembly |
| (1) | | Chaophraya Thammasakmontri เจ้าพระยาธรรมศักดิ์มนตรี (1877–1943) | 15 December 1933 | 26 February 1934 | | Independent | President of the People's Assembly |
| 3 | | Phraya Sorayuthaseni พระยาศรยุทธเสนี (1888–1962) | 26 February 1934 | 22 September 1934 | | People's | President of the People's Assembly |
| 4 | | Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ (1885–1976) | 22 September 1934 | 31 July 1936 | | Independent | President of the People's Assembly |
| 5 | | Phraya Manwaratchasewi พระยามานวราชเสวี (1890–1984) | 3 August 1936 | 24 June 1943 | | Independent | President of the People's Assembly |
| (3) | | Phraya Sorayuthaseni พระยาศรยุทธเสนี (1888–1962) | 6 July 1943 | 24 June 1944 | | People's | President of the People's Assembly |
| (5) | | Phraya Manwaratchasewi พระยามานวราชเสวี (1890–1984) | 2 July 1944 | 9 May 1946 | | Independent | President of the People's Assembly |
| 6 | | Vilas Osathanon วิลาศ โอสถานนท์ (1899–1997) | 4 June 1946 | 24 August 1946 | | People's | President of the Senate |
| (3) | | Phraya Sorayuthaseni พระยาศรยุทธเสนี (1888–1962) | 31 August 1946 | 9 November 1947 | | People's | President of the Senate |
| (4) | | Chaophraya Sri Thammathibet เจ้าพระยาศรีธรรมาธิเบศ (1885–1976) | 26 November 1947 | 29 November 1951 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 7 | | Phra Prachonpachanuk พระประจนปัจจนึก (1892–1970) | 1 December 1951 | 16 September 1957 | | Independent | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| 8 | | Luang Sutthisanronnakon หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร (1901–1968) | 20 September 1957 | 14 December 1957 | | Independent | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| (7) | | Phra Prachonpachanuk พระประจนปัจจนึก (1892–1970) | 27 December 1957 | 20 October 1958 | | Independent | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| (8) | | Luang Sutthisanronnakon หลวงสุทธิสารรณกร (1901–1968) | 6 February 1959 | 2 May 1968 | | Independent | President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly |
| 9 | | Thawi Bunyaket ทวี บุณยเกตุ (1904–1971) | 8 May 1968 | 20 June 1968 | | Independent | President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly |
| 10 | | Nai Vorkarnbancha นายวรการบัญชา (1903–1974) | 22 July 1968 | 17 November 1971 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 11 | | Siri Siriyothin ศิริ สิริโยธิน (1915–1979) | 18 December 1972 | 11 December 1973 | | Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly |
| 12 | | Kukrit Pramoj คึกฤทธิ์ ปราโมช (1911–1995) | 29 December 1973 | 7 October 1974 | | Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly |
| 13 | | Praphas Ouchai ประภาศน์ อวยชัย (1924–2017) | 17 October 1974 | 25 January 1975 | | Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly |
| 14 | | Prasit Kanchanawat ประสิทธิ์ กาญจนวัฒน์ (1915–1999) | 7 February 1975 | 12 January 1976 | | Social Nationalist | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Chitti Tingsabadh จิตติ ติงศภัทิย์ (1908–1995) Acting | 12 January 1976 | 19 April 1976 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 15 | | Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938) | 19 April 1976 | 6 October 1976 | | Democrat | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| 16 | | Kamol Dechatungka กมล เดชะตุงคะ (1917–2002) | 22 October 1976 | 20 November 1976 | | Independent | President of the National Administrative Reform Council |
| 17 | | Harin Hongsakul หะริน หงสกุล (1914–2008) | 28 November 1976 | 20 October 1977 | | Independent | President of the National Administrative Reform Council |
| 17 | | Harin Hongsakul หะริน หงสกุล (1914–2008) | 25 November 1977 | 20 April 1979 | | Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly |
| 17 | | Harin Hongsakul หะริน หงสกุล (1914–2008) | 9 May 1979 | 19 March 1983 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 18 | | Charubud Ruengsuwan จารุบุตร เรืองสุวรรณ (1920–1984) | 26 April 1983 | 19 March 1984 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| — | | Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938) Acting | 19 March 1984 | 30 April 1984 | | Progress | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| 19 | | Ukrit Mongkolnavin อุกฤษ มงคลนาวิน (born 1933) | 30 April 1984 | 21 April 1989 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| — | | Panja Kesornthong ปัญจะ เกสรทอง (born 1946) Acting | 21 April 1989 | 4 May 1989 | | Thai Nation | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| 20 | | Wan Chansue วรรณ ชันซื่อ (1923–2015) | 4 May 1989 | 23 February 1991 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| (19) | | Ukrit Mongkolnavin อุกฤษ มงคลนาวิน (born 1933) | 2 April 1991 | 21 March 1992 | | Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly |
| (19) | | Ukrit Mongkolnavin อุกฤษ มงคลนาวิน (born 1933) | 3 April 1992 | 26 May 1992 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| — | | Arthit Ourairat อาทิตย์ อุไรรัตน์ (born 1938) Acting | 26 May 1992 | 28 June 1992 | | Justice Unity | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| 21 | | Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) | 28 June 1992 | 22 September 1992 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 22 | | Marut Bunnag มารุต บุนนาค (1924–2022) | 22 September 1992 | 19 May 1995 | | Democrat | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) Acting | 19 May 1995 | 11 July 1995 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 23 | | Booneua Prasertsuwan บุญเอื้อ ประเสริฐสุวรรณ (1919–2016) | 11 July 1995 | 27 September 1996 | | Thai Nation | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) Acting | 27 September 1996 | 24 November 1996 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 24 | | Wan Muhamad Noor Matha วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา (born 1944) | 24 November 1996 | 27 June 2000 | | New Aspiration | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| 25 | | Bhichai Rattakul พิชัย รัตตกุล (1924–2022) | 30 June 2000 | 9 November 2000 | | Democrat | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Sanit Vorapanya สนิท วรปัญญา (born 1939) Acting | 9 November 2000 | 6 February 2001 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| (15) | | Uthai Pimjaichon อุทัย พิมพ์ใจชน (born 1938) | 6 February 2001 | 5 January 2005 | | Thai Rak Thai | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Suchon Chaleekure สุชน ชาลีเครือ (born 1933) Acting | 5 January 2005 | 8 March 2005 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 26 | | Pokin Palakul โภคิน พลกุล (born 1952) | 8 March 2005 | 24 February 2006 | | Thai Rak Thai | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Suchon Chaleekure สุชน ชาลีเครือ (born 1933) Acting | 24 February 2006 | 19 September 2006 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| (21) | | Meechai Ruchuphan มีชัย ฤชุพันธุ์ (born 1938) | 25 October 2006 | 24 January 2008 | | Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly |
| 27 | | Yongyuth Tiyapairat ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช (born 1961) | 24 January 2008 | 30 April 2008 | | People's Power | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Prasopsuk Bundech ประสพสุข บุญเดช (born 1945) Acting | 30 April 2008 | 15 May 2008 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 28 | | Chai Chidchob ชัย ชิดชอบ (1928–2020) | 15 May 2008 | 10 May 2011 | | People's Power (until 2008) | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| 28 | | Chai Chidchob ชัย ชิดชอบ (1928–2020) | 15 May 2008 | 10 May 2011 | | Bhumjaithai (from 2008) | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Teeradej Meepien ธีรเดช มีเพียร (born 1940) Acting | 10 May 2011 | 3 August 2011 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| 29 | | Somsak Kiatsuranont สมศักดิ์ เกียรติสุรนนท์ (born 1954) | 3 August 2011 | 9 December 2013 | | Pheu Thai | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Nikom Wairatpanij นิคม ไวยรัชพานิช (born 1947) Acting | 9 December 2013 | 20 March 2014 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| — | | Surachai Leangboonleodchai สุรชัย เลี้ยงบุญเลิศชัย (born 1953) Acting | 21 March 2014 | 24 May 2014 | | Independent | Acting President of the Senate |
| 30 | | Pornpetch Wichitcholchai พรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย (born 1948) | 17 August 2014 | 21 May 2019 | | Independent | President of the National Legislative Assembly |
| 31 | | Chuan Leekpai ชวน หลีกภัย (born 1938) | 28 May 2019 | 20 March 2023 | | Democrat | Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| — | | Pornpetch Wichitcholchai พรเพชร วิชิตชลชัย (born 1948) Acting | 20 March 2023 | 5 July 2023 | | Independent | President of the Senate |
| (24) | | Wan Muhamad Noor Matha วันมูหะมัดนอร์ มะทา (born 1944) | 5 July 2023 | Incumbent | | Prachachart | Speaker of the House of Representatives |