President of the National Assembly of Thailand
| President of the National Assembly ประธานรัฐสภา | |
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 Seal of the Parliament of Thailand | |
 Standard of the President of the National Assembly of Thailand | |
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Incumbent Pornpetch Wichitcholchai (President of the National Legislative Assembly) since 8 August 2014 | |
| Style | Mr. President / Than Prathan Thi Khao Rop |
| Nominator | Vote within the House of Representatives |
| Appointer | HM The King of Thailand |
| Inaugural holder | Chaophraya Thammasakmontri |
| Formation | 28 June 1932 |
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Thailand |
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The President of the National Assembly (Thai: ประธานรัฐสภา; RTGS: Prathan Ratthasapha; IPA: [prà.tʰaːn rát.tʰà.sà.pʰaː]) is the presiding officer (speaker) of the National Assembly of Thailand. Since 1997, 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'etat 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, is occupying ex officio position of President of the National Assembly.
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:
List of Speakers
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. | Term | Name | Term start | Term ends | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (1) | Chaophraya Thammasakmontri (Snan Thephasadin na Ayutthaya) | 28 June 1932 | 1 September 1932 | First President of the National Assembly |
| 2 | Chao Phya Pichaiyart (Dhan Bunnag) | 2 September 1932 | 10 December 1933 | President of the People’s Assembly | |
| (2) | Chaophraya Thammasakmontri | 15 December 1933 | 26 February 1934 | President of the People’s Assembly | |
| 3 | (1) | Phraya Sorayudthasenee (Krasea Pravahanavin) | 26 February 1934 | 22 September 1934 | President of the People’s Assembly |
| 4 | Chao Phya Sridhamadhibes (Chita na Songkhla) | 22 September 1934 | 22 July 1936 | President of the People’s Assembly | |
| 5 | (1) | Phya Manavarajasevee (Plod Vichear na Songklha) | 3 August 1936 | 10 December 1937 | President of the People’s Assembly |
| (2) | Phya Sorayudthasenee | 6 July 1943 | 24 June 1944 | President of the People’s Assembly | |
| (2) | Phya Manavarajasevee | 2 July 1944 | 24 June 1945 | President of the People’s Assembly | |
| 6 | Vilas Osatananda | 4 June 1946 | 24 August 1946 | President of the Senate | |
| (3) | Phya Sorayudthasenee | 31 August 1946 | 8 November 1947 | President of the Senate | |
| (2) | Chao Phya Sridhamadhibes | 26 November 1947 | 29 November 1951 | President of the Senate | |
| 7 | Phra Prachonpachanuk (Phok Mahadilok) | 1 December 1951 | 20 October 1957 | Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| 8 | (1) | Luang Sudhisararonakara (Suthi Sukhavatee) | 20 September 1957 | 14 December 1957 | Speaker of the House |
| (2) | Phra Prachonpachanuk | 6 February 1958 | 17 April 1968 | President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly | |
| 9 | Tawee Boonyaket | 8 May 1968 | 20 June 1968 | President of the Constitution Drafting Assembly | |
| 10 | Colonel Vorkarnbancha (Boonkerd Stantanont) | 22 July 1968 | 17 November 1971 | President of the Senate | |
| 11 | Siri Siriyothin | 18 December 1972 | 11 December 1973 | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
| 12 | Kukrit Pramoj | 29 December 1973 | 7 October 1974 | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
| 13 | Praphas Ouchai | 17 October 1974 | 25 January 1975 | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
| 14 | Prasit Kanjonwat | 7 February 1975 | 12 January 1976 | Speaker of the House | |
| 15 | (1) | Uthai Pimjaichon | 19 April 1976 | 6 October 1976 | Speaker of the House |
| 16 | Kamol Dechatungka | 22 October 1976 | 20 February 1976 | President of the Prime Ministerial Consultative Assembly | |
| 17 | (1) | Harin Hongsakul | 28 November 1976 | 20 October 1977 | President of the National Reform Assembly |
| (2) | Harin Hongsakul | 25 November 1977 | 22 April 1979 | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
| (3) | Harin Hongsakul | 9 May 1979 | 19 March 1983 | President of the Senate | |
| 18 | Charubutr Ruangsuwan | 26 April 1983 | 19 March 1984 | President of the Senate | |
| 19 | (1) | Ukrit Mongkolnavin | 30 April 1984 | 21 April 1989 | President of the Senate |
| 20 | Van Chanchue | 4 May 1989 | 23 February 1991 | President of the Senate | |
| (2) | Ukrit Mongkolnavin | 2 April 1991 | 21 March 1992 | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
| (3) | Ukrit Mongkolnavin | 3 April 1992 | 26 May 1992 | President of the Senate | |
| 21 | (1) | Meechai Ruchuphan | 28 June 1992 | 29 June 1992 | President of the Senate |
| 22 | Marut Bunnag | 22 September 1992 | 19 May 1995 | Speaker of the House | |
| 23 | Booneua Prasertsuwan | 11 July 1995 | 27 September 1996 | Speaker of the House | |
| 24 | Wan Muhamad Noor Matha | 24 November 1996 | 27 June 2000 | Speaker of the House | |
| 25 | Bhichai Rattakul | 30 June 2000 | 9 November 2000 | Speaker of the House | |
| (2) | Uthai Pimjaichon | 6 February 2001 | 5 January 2005 | Speaker of the House | |
| 26 | Bhokin Bhalakula | 6 January 2005 | 24 February 2006 | Speaker of the House | |
| (2) | Meechai Ruchuphan | 11 October 2006 | 19 March 2008 | President of the National Legislative Assembly | |
| 27 | Yongyut Tiyapairach | 23 January 2008 | 30 April 2008 | Speaker of the House; resignation after the Election Commission took a case of electoral fraud against him to the constitutional court. | |
| Prasobsook Boondech | 19 March 2008 | 15 May 2008 | President of the Senate (Acting) | ||
| 28 | Chai Chidchob | 15 May 2008 | 10 May 2011 | Speaker of the House | |
| Teeradej Meepien | 10 May 2011 | 3 August 2011 | President of the Senate (Acting) | ||
| 29 | Somsak Kiatsuranont | 3 August 2011 | 9 December 2013 | Speaker of the House | |
| Surachai Leangboonleodchai | 9 May 2014 | 24 May 2014 | President of the Senate (Acting) | ||
| 30 | Pornpech Wichitcholchai | 17 August 2014 | Incumbent | Present President of the National Legislative Assembly |