Government of Thailand

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Royal Thai Government
Thai: รัฐบาลไทย
Central government
Emblem of Thailand
Overview
Established	24 June 1932; 92 years ago (1932-06-24)
State	Thailand
Leader	Prime Minister (Paetongtarn Shinawatra)
Appointed by	Monarch ( ฿3.75 trillion (FY2025[1])
Headquarters	1 Phitsanulok Road, Bangkok
Website	www.thaigov.go.th

Politics of Thailand
Constitution History Laws Human rights LGBT rights
Monarchy The King (List) Vajiralongkorn (Rama X) Heir presumptive Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Head of the Royal Armed Forces Royal family Succession Regent Privy Council Bureau of the Royal Household Royal Security Command Crown Property Bureau
Executive Prime Minister (list) Paetongtarn Shinawatra (PTP) Deputy Prime Ministers Phumtham Wechayachai (PTP) Suriya Juangroongruangkit (PTP) BTP ) Pirapan Salirathavibhaga (UTN) Pichai Chunhavajira (PTP) Prasert Jantararuangtong (PTP) 64th Council of Ministers Cabinet Ministries Independent agencies
Legislature President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha (PCC) Vice President Mongkol Surasajja House of Representatives Speaker Wan Muhamad Noor Matha (PCC) Deputy Speakers Pichet Chuamuangphan (PTP) Paradorn Prissanananthakul ( BTP ) Leader of the Opposition Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut (PP) Senate President Mongkol Surasajja Vice Presidents Kriangkrai Srirak Bunsong Noisophon 13th Senate of Thailand 26th Thai House of Representatives
Judiciary Supreme Court President: Chanakarn Theeravechpolkul Administrative Court President: Prasitsak Meelarp Constitutional Court President: Nakarin Mektrairat Criminal Court Military Courts
Elections & referendums Recent elections & referendums General Elections 2014 2019 2023 next Senate Elections 2006 2008 2014 2024 Referendums 2007 2016 Local elections Bangkok Pattaya Provincial Subdistrict Municipalities Village Election Commission Political Parties
Administrative divisions Ministry of Interior Provincial Provinces (Governors) Districts Subdistrict Village Local Provincial Administrative Organisation City Municipality Town Municipality Subdistrict Municipality Subdistrict Administrative Organisation Special Bangkok (Governor) Pattaya
Foreign relations Ministry of Foreign Affairs Diplomatic missions of / in Thailand Passport Visa requirements Visa policy Borders : Cambodia Laos Malaysia Myanmar (Maritime : India Indonesia Vietnam) Foreign aid UN ASEAN ACD BIMSTEC MRC EAS RCEP APEC MNNA G77 IPEF MGC
Political unrest After reunited in 1767 Political crisis Front Palace Crisis (1874–1875) Peace Rebellion (1952) 1970s peasant revolts 1973 popular uprising 6 October 1976 massacre Black May (1992) 2005–2006 political crisis 2008 political crisis 2009 political unrest 2010 political protests 2013–2014 political crisis 2020–2021 protests Military coups Palace Revolt of 1912 Revolution of 1932 April 1933 coup d'état June 1933 coup d'état Boworadet rebellion (1933) Rebellion of the Sergeants (1935) Songsuradet Rebellion (1939) 1947 coup d'état 1948 coup d'état Army General Staff plot (1948) Palace Rebellion (1949) Manhattan Rebellion (1951) Silent Coup (1951) 1957 coup d'état 1958 coup d'état Rebellion of 1964 1971 coup d'état 1976 coup d'état March 1977 coup d'état attempt October 1977 coup d'état 1981 military rebellion 1985 coup d'état attempt 1991 coup d'état 2006 coup d'état 2014 coup d'état Terrorism Israeli Bangkok Embassy hostage crisis (1972) 1999 attack on the Myanmar Embassy in Bangkok South insurgency (2004–present) 2012 Bangkok bombings 2015 Bangkok bombing 2019 Bangkok bombings Conflicts Taksin's reunification (1767–1771) Cambodian rebellion (1811–1812) Ai Sa Kiad Ngong rebellion (1819) Lao rebellion (1826–1828) Kedahan rebellion (1838–1839) Haw wars (1865–1890) Holy Man's Rebellion (1901–1936) Ngiao rebellion (1902) Dusun Nyor Rebellion (1948) Separatist Rebellion (1948) Communist insurgency (1965–1983) Foreign relations crisis Wars Blue Diamond Affair (1989–2019) 2003 Phnom Penh riots Cambodian–Thai border dispute (2008–2011)
Related topics Administrative divisions Armed Forces Bank of Thailand Crime Demographics Economy Education History Mandala Phitsanulok Mansion Police Sappaya-Sapasathan Province seals
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Government of Thailand, officially the Royal Thai Government (RTG;

Thailand has so far had twenty Constitutions. Throughout, the basic structure of government has remained the same. The government of Thailand is composed of three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary. The system of government is modelled after the Westminster system. All branches of government are concentrated in Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand.

From May 2014 until July 2019, Thailand was ruled by a

King

The heir presumptive to the throne is Prince Dipangkorn Rasmijoti, although it is up to the king's discretion whether Prince Dipangkorn will be named Crown Prince in the future. Succession to the throne is governed by the 1924 Palace Law of Succession, promulgated by King Vajiravudh. Palace law follows the male agnatic primogeniture, where males only are allowed to succeed and inheritance is passed only from father to son and through the male line only.^{[citation needed]} However, the 1974 amendment to the Thai constitution allows for a princess to ascend the throne and this particular provision is retained under Section 21 of the 2017 Constitution which reads:

In the case where the Throne becomes vacant and the King has not appointed an Heir under paragraph one, the Privy Council shall submit the name of the Successor to the Throne under section 20 to the Council of Ministers for further submission to the National Assembly for approval. In this regard, the name of a Princess may be submitted. Upon the approval of the National Assembly, the President of the National Assembly shall invite such Successor to ascend the Throne and proclaim such Successor as King.^[4]

Since 1932 the head of government of Thailand has been the Prime Minister of Thailand, usually the leader of the largest party or the largest coalition party in the lower house of parliament. The prime minister is, in accordance with the constitution, selected, first by an election in the lower house (According to the B.E.2560 Constitution, The Prime Minister will be elected by both houses till Next 5 years), then officially appointed by the King.

The prime minister, head of the

The former prime minister was

The Cabinet of Thailand or the Council of Ministers of Thailand is a council composed of 35 ministers of state and deputy ministers, who run the

The

The

The chamber is strictly non-partisan, and members may not be a member of a partisan organisation, the House of Representatives, the judiciary, or the cabinet for five years. The Senate has little legislative power, but retains considerable powers of scrutiny and appointment as the Senate is vested with the power to advise on the appointment of members of the judiciary and independent government agencies. The Senate sits for a set six year non-renewable term and cannot be dissolved. The Senate is presided over by a president of the Senate, who is also the Vice-President of the National Assembly. He is assisted by two vice-presidents of the Senate. The last election to the Senate was in 2008.

The Senate and the House of Representatives were abolished after 22 May 2014 coup by the "National Council for Peace and Order" (NCPO).

The

The house is a partisan chamber with seven political parties. As the primary legislative chamber, the House has more power than the Senate. The House has the power to remove both the prime minister and cabinet ministers through a vote of no confidence. The house sits for a term of four years; however, a dissolution of the house can happen anytime before the expiration of the term. The house is led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who is also the President of the National Assembly. He is assisted by two deputy speakers.

The leader of the largest party or largest coalition party will most likely become prime minister, while the leader of the largest party with no members holding any ministerial positions will become the leader of the opposition. The leader of the opposition is a powerful position with considerable influence. The leader is assisted by a shadow cabinet. The last general election for the house was in 2007.

After the 2007 election the

The House of Representatives and the Senate were abolished after 22 May 2014 coup by the NCPO. Currently, according to the interim Constitution of Thailand imposed by NCPO, there is no House of Representatives. Legislative power is vested in the National Legislative Council, appointed by the NCPO.

Affiliation		Members
		Elected[9]	Current[10]	Change
	People's Party	0	143	143
	Pheu Thai	141	142	1
	Bhumjaithai	71	71
	United Thai Nation	36	36
	Democrat	25	25
	Kla Tham Party	0	24	24
	Palang Pracharat Party	40	20	20
	Chart Thai Pattana	10	10
	Prachachart	9	9
	Thai Sang Thai	6	6
	Chart Pattana	2	3	1
	Thai Ruam Palang	2	2
	Fair Party	1	1
	Thai Liberal	1	1
	New Democracy	1	1
	Thai Progress	0	1	1
	Move Forward[a]	151	0	151
	New Party	1	0	1
	Thai Counties	1	0	1
	New Social Power	1	0	1
	Teachers for People	1	0	1
	Independent[b]	0	0
Total		500	495	5
Vacant		N/A	5	5
Government majority		62	149	87

The judiciary of Thailand is composed of four distinct systems: the Military Court (which has expanded its power since 22 May 2014), the Court of Justice system, the Administrative Court system and the Constitutional Court.

The Courts of Justice are the largest branch of the Thai judiciary system. The courts as mandated in the constitution are composed of three tiers: the Court of First Instance, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Justice of Thailand.

The trial court does not keep verbatim transcripts. Instead, the record consists only of the decision reached by the court.

Research judges assist sitting judges. Judges must take an examination and two different examinations are given: one exam is for judges trained in Thailand and a different examination is given for judges who graduate from foreign law schools. All judges are formally appointed by the king.

The Asian Human Rights Commission has called the Thai legal system a "mess" and called for a drastic overhaul of Thailand's criminal procedures. It cited the rampant use of forced confessions, and the fact that even a senior justice ministry official admitted that 30% of cases went to court without evidence. It also criticised the judiciary for failing to ensure that trials are conducted in a timely manner, citing the case of four Thai men accused of plotting to kill Supreme Court President Praman Chansue (Thai: ประมาณ ชันซื่อ). Between 1993 and 2008, the accused were taken before 91 different judges and were present in court on 461 occasions. Mr Praman died in 2007.^[11]

The administrative court system is made up of two tiers: The Administrative Courts of First Instance and the Supreme Administrative Court. The court system was first created in 1997. The Administrative court primarily hears cases between private citizens and the State or its organs.

First set up in 1997, the Constitutional Court of Thailand was created solely as a high court to settle matters pertaining to the constitution. It has since accumulated huge amounts of power and influence, generating many controversies on the way. The Constitutional Court's power was highlighted during the 2006 and 2008 political crises, when it settled political deadlocks and social unrest.^{[citation needed]}

Thailand's legal system blends traditional Thai principles and Western laws. The Western-sourced laws are often misused and corrupted.^{[citation needed]} The traditional "Thai" laws are the product of Hindu-Brahmin laws used by the Khmer Empire. There is no discovery in the Thai legal system. Slander and libel are not civil torts in Thailand but criminal offences.

Thailand's legal system has been often criticised by other countries for having penalties of life in prison or even death for crimes such as drug possession or smuggling, while having lenient penalties for crimes such as terrorism and marital abuse resulting in spousal death.

The criminally accused are entitled to have a court-appointed certified translator present in court if they cannot afford one. Appeals must be filed with the trial court within thirty (30) days of the judge reading, signing, and issuing the verdict. There are no juries in trials. Only Thai citizens can be admitted to the Bar and can practice before the courts. Attorneys must carry their current, yellow, bar card when in court and may be required to produce it on challenge.

In Thailand's southern border provinces, where Muslims constitute the majority of the population, provincial Islamic committees have limited jurisdiction over probate, family, marriage, and divorce cases.

Under Section 44 Thailand's Interim Constitution of 2014, the Prime Minister and NCPO leader has complete authority to perform any administrative, legislative, and judicial action as necessary, which then is deemed legal and constitutional.

Thailand is divided into 76 provinces (changwat, singular and plural). The Ministry of the Interior appoints governors for all provinces. The metropolis of greater Bangkok is a special administrative area at the same level as a province, but the governor is popularly elected.^[12]

In November 2015 the government launched a "one-stop" website with information on all government services. The website, referred to as "GovChannel", is at GovChannel Archived 28 June 2018 at the

Bangkok, a metropolis of more than 10 million inhabitants, has been called the "world's most primate city".^{[citation needed]} It is home to virtually all government ministries and functionaries. Bangkok is overcrowded, polluted, sinking, and traffic-congested. Its many problems have raised the issue of moving the nation's capital elsewhere, especially given the example of Indonesia's plans to move its capital from Jakarta. The idea is not new: two decades ago, the Thaksin Shinawatra administration assigned the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), to formulate a plan to move the capital to Nakhon Nayok. The flooding of Bangkok in 2011 revived the idea of moving government functions from Bangkok given its subsidence rate of two centimetres per year and its propensity to flood. In 2017, the military government assigned NESDC to study the possibility of moving government offices from Bangkok to Chachoengsao in the east.^[15][16][17]

• Independent agencies of the Thai government
• State agencies of Thailand

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Government of Thailand.

• Royal Thai Government homepage (in English and Thai)
• Gov Channel (18,806 handbooks on how to apply for state services and links to all government agencies) Archived 28 June 2018 at the Wayback Machine