The cabinet of Thailand (formally, the Council of Ministers of Thailand; Thai: คณะรัฐมนตรี; RTGS: Khana Ratthamontri) is a body composed of thirty-five of the most senior members of the government of the Kingdom of Thailand. The cabinet is the primary organ of the executive branch of the Thai government. Members of the cabinet are nominated by the prime minister and formally appointed by the King of Thailand. Most members are governmental department heads with the title of "minister of state" (Thai: รัฐมนตรี; RTGS: Ratthamontri). The cabinet is chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand. The cabinet is often collectively called "the government" or "the Royal Thai Government".
| Thai: คณะรัฐมนตรีแห่งราชอาณาจักรไทย | |
 Seal of the Council of Ministers | |
| Cabinet overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 28 June 1932 |
| Type | A council to discharge the duties of administering the government according to collective responsibility |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Thailand |
| Motto | สุจริต เสียสละ สามัคคี (Honesty, Sacrifice, Unity) |
History
Prior to the Revolution of 1932, the absolutist Chakri kings ruled Siam through a series of "krom" (Thai: กรม) and "senabodi" (Thai: เสนาบดี).[1] On 15 April 1874 King Chulalongkorn founded the King's Privy Council (Thai: สภาที่ปรึกษาในพระองค์) (which still exists today) made up of 49 senior princes and officials. For the first time the kings of Siam exercised his powers through a council.
On 14 July 1925 King Prajadhipok formed the Supreme Council of State of Siam (Thai: อภิรัฐมนตรีสภา; RTGS: Aphiratthamontrisapha) made up of 5 senior princes (all of them his brothers and all of them ministers of state) to help govern the country. However, after the revolution in 1932, the Khana Ratsadon decided to dissolve this council. Instead the new constitution created a direct precursor of the cabinet called: the People's Committee of Siam (Thai: คณะกรรมการราษฎร; RTGS: Khana Kammakan Ratsadon) led by a president. The privy council from then on became a royal advisory council.
With the promulgation of "permanent" constitution at the end of that year, the name of the committee was changed to the "council of ministers" and the name of the chair to prime minister, after King Prajadhipok deemed the old names too communistic. The first cabinet of Thailand was led by Phraya Manopakorn Nititada. All government departments and agencies were then immediately transferred to its control. To date there have been 58 cabinets of Thailand.
Ministers of State
Qualifications
According to the 2007 Constitution the cabinet is restricted to no more than 35 members. Members of the cabinet, unlike the prime minister, do not need to be a member of the House of Representatives, however most of them are. To be eligible to be a minister an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a Thai national by birth.
- Be older than 35 years of age.
- Have graduated with no less than a bachelor's degree or its equivalent.
- Not be a member of the Senate (former senators must wait two years after their term of office to be eligible)
The individual must also: not be addicted to drugs, not have been bankrupt, not be a monk or a member of the clergy, not be disenfranchised, not be mentally infirm, not be under indictment or conviction, not have been expelled by a state agency for corruption or incompetence, not be a paid civil servant or member of the judiciary, and not ever been removed from any office by the Senate of Thailand.
Ministers of State are in theory appointed by the king, however in truth they are appointed at the advice of the prime minister to the king. Before taking office, a minister must make a solemn declaration before the king in the following words:
"I, (name of the declarer), do solemnly declare that I will be loyal to the King and will faithfully perform my duties in the interests of the country and of the people. I will also uphold and observe the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand in every respect."
Roles
The 2007 Constitution of Thailand calls the cabinet the "Council of Ministers". The entire IXth chapter is dedicated to it. There are only 20 cabinet ministries, which means that 15 ministers are without portfolio. They can, however, be appointed deputy prime ministers or deputy ministers. According to the constitution, the cabinet must, within fifteen days of being sworn in, state its policies to the National Assembly of Thailand. Ministers have the right to go in person to the national assembly to state and explain policies or opinions.
Each minister is responsible for his actions and the actions of his department and is therefore accountable to the national assembly. Therefore, the assembly can compel the minister to appear before it and explain his actions. The House of Representatives and the Senate can forcefully remove a sitting minister by a vote of no confidence. A one-sixth of the chamber vote is needed to call a debate and a simple majority is required for removal. A minister can also be removed by the king on the advice of the prime minister.
The Cabinet
Function
As the primary government institution in the executive branch, the cabinet is ultimately responsible for the administration and management of various government agencies and departments. It is also the primary institution for the formulation of policies with regards to all areas of politics and governing. Legislatively the cabinet is one of the institutions allowed to submit bills to the National Assembly for consideration. The cabinet is also allowed to call a joint sitting of the National Assembly to consider important bills or even join a joint sitting of the Assembly. The cabinet is also allowed to call a national referendum.
The cabinet is governed by the rule of collective responsibility, in which the members of the cabinet must support all policies despite personal or private disagreement. As a result, if the government fails or if the policies of the government fails then the entire cabinet must take responsibility; and resign in its entirety. The cabinet's term is wedded to that of the Prime Minister. The Leader of the Opposition is allowed to create his own cabinet or the Shadow Cabinet of Thailand.
Current Cabinet
On 4 September 2024, King Vajiralongkorn endorsed the current 35-member cabinet with Paetongtarn Shinawatra as prime minister.[2]
| Paetongtarn cabinet | ||||
| Minister Political party |
Office(s) | Ministry/Ministerial Agency | Took Office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Paetongtarn Shinawatra Pheu Thai |
Prime Minister | Office of the Prime Minister | 16 August 2024 |
|
Phumtham Wechayachai Pheu Thai |
Deputy Prime Minister Ministry of Defence |
Office of the Prime Minister Ministry of Defence |
3 September 2024 |
|
Suriya Juangroongruangkit Pheu Thai |
Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Transport |
Office of the Prime Minister Ministry of Transport |
3 September 2024 |
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|
Anutin Charnvirakul Bhumjaithai |
Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Interior |
Office of the Prime Minister Ministry of Interior |
3 September 2024 |
|
Pirapan Salirathavibhaga United Thai Nation |
Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Energy |
Office of the Prime Minister Ministry of Energy |
3 September 2024 |
|
Pichai Chunhavajira Independent |
Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Finance |
Office of the Prime Minister Ministry of Finance |
3 September 2024 |
|
Prasert Jantararuangtong Pheu Thai |
Deputy Prime Minister | Ministry of Digital Economy and Society | 3 September 2024 |
|
Chousak Sirinil Pheu Thai |
Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office | Office of the Prime Minister | 3 September 2024 |
|
Jiraporn Sindhuprai Pheu Thai |
3 September 2024 | ||
|
Julapun Amornvivat Pheu Thai |
Deputy Minister of Finance | Ministry of Finance | 3 September 2024 |
|
Paophum Rojanasakul Pheu Thai |
3 September 2024 | ||
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|
Maris Sangiampongsa Pheu Thai |
Minister of Foreign Affairs | Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 3 September 2024 |
|
Sorawong Thienthong Pheu Thai |
Minister of Tourism and Sports | Ministry of Tourism and Sports | 3 September 2024 |
|
Varawut Silpa-archa Chart Thai Patthana |
Minister of Social Development and Human Security | Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (Thailand) | 3 September 2024fS |
|
Supamas Isarabhakdi Bhumjaithai |
Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation | Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation | 3 September 2024 |
|
Narumon Pinyosinwat Kla Tham |
Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives | Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives | 3 September 2024 |
|
Itthi Sirilathayakorn Independent |
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives | 3 September 2024 | |
|
Akara Prompao Pheu Thai |
4 September 2024 | ||
|
Monporn Charoensri Pheu Thai |
Deputy Minister of Transport | Ministry of Transport | 3 September 2024 |
|
Surapong Piyachot Pheu Thai |
3 September 2024 | ||
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|
Chalermchai Sri-on Democrats |
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment | Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment | 3 September 2024 |
|
Pichai Naripthaphan Pheu Thai |
Minister of Commerce | Ministry of Commerce | 3 September 2024 |
|
Napinthorn Srisanpang Bhumjaithai |
Deputy Minister of Commerce | 3 September 2024 | |
|
Suchart Chomklin United Thai Nation |
3 September 2024 | ||
|
Theerarat Samrejvanich Pheu Thai |
Deputy Minister of Interior | Ministry of Interior | 3 September 2024 |
|
Songsak Thongsri Bhumjaithai |
3 September 2024 | ||
|
Cahda Thaised Bhumjaithai |
3 September 2024 | ||
|
Police Colonel Tawee Sodsong Prachachart |
Minister of Justice | Ministry of Justice | 3 September 2024 |
|
Phipat Ratchakitprakarn Bhumjaithai |
Minister of Labour | Ministry of Labour | 3 September 2024 |
|
Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol Pheu Thai |
Minister of Culture | Ministry of Culture | 3 September 2024 |
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|
Police General Permpoon Chidchob Bhumjaithai |
Minister of Education | Ministry of Education | 3 September 2024 |
|
Surasak Phancharoenworakul Bhumjaithai |
Deputy Minister of Education | 3 September 2024 | |
|
Somsak Thepsutin Pheu Thai |
Minister of Public Health | Ministry of Public Health | 3 September 2024 |
|
Dech-it Khaothong Democrats |
Deputy Minister of Public Health | 3 September 2024 | |
| Akanat Promphan United Thai Nation |
Minister of Industry | Ministry of Industry | 3 September 2024 | |
Notes
See also
References
- ^ Glenn S., ed. (2013-08-17). "เสนาบดี" (Dictionary). Royal Institute Dictionary, 1982. Thai-language.com. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
เสนาบดี /เส-นา-บอ-ดี/ [นาม] (การใช้: โบราณ) แม่ทัพ. [นาม] (การใช้: โบราณ) ข้าราชการชั้นผู้ใหญ่. [นาม] (การใช้: โบราณ) เจ้ากระทรวง. definition: secretary of state; minister; commander in chief
- ^ "King endorses new cabinet". Bangkok Post. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
External links
- 2007 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand s:2007 Constitution of Thailand
- Official Webpage
- Thai Government - Cabinet Announcement
- Govt gets 'satisfactory' grade (2024-06-03) Bangkok Post