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Politics and Government

Thailand has endured 18 coups since the 1930s and its military has dominated much of the post-war period. It was still learning to live with its first fully democratic constitution, introduced in 1997, when a six-man army junta seized control of the government and deposed the prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, in September 2006.

The politics of Thailand currently takes place in a framework of a constitutional monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government and a hereditary monarch is head of state. Executive power is currently exercised by a military junta and its appointed Prime Minister and Cabinet. Legislative power is vested in a junta-appointed legislature. The Judiciary is independent of the executive and the legislature. Political activities are currently banned. Prior to the 2006 coup, the kingdom was a parliamentary democracy, with an elected bicameral legislature.

Thailand has been ruled by kings since the thirteenth century. In 1932, the country officially became a constitutional monarchy, though in practice, the government was dominated by the military and the elite bureaucracy. The country's current constitution was promulgated in 2006.

The King of Thailand has little direct power under the constitution but is a symbol of national identity and unity. King Bhumibol, who has been on the throne since 1946, commands enormous popular respect and moral authority, which he has used on occasion to resolve political crises that have threatened national stability.

Currently, Thailand is run by a military junta calling itself the Council for National Security. On 19th September 2006, the Council for National Security staged a coup d'état that overthrew the elected government of Thaksin Shinawatra. Since then, Thailand has been governed by a military junta headed by General Sonthi Boonyaratglin, who later appointed Surayud Chulanont as Prime Minister. The coup and the governing junta were endorsed by King Bhumibol Adulyadej in a royal decree on the day following the coup.

Political Structure

Official Name

Kingdom of Thailand

Form of State

Constitutional Monarchy

The Executive

Under an interim constitution that came into effect on October 1st 2006, the military council, known as the Council for National Security (CNS), appoints the prime minister, who is then free to form a Council of Ministers (the cabinet)

Head of State

King Bhumibol Adulyadej

National Legislature

Under the interim constitution, a 250-member National Assembly acts as the legislature. Assembly members are appointed by the king and are drawn from all regions of the country.

National Elections

The CNS has pledged to hold a general election by the end of 2007 after a new permanent constitution has been promulgated.

National Government

In the September 19th 2006 coup the military ousted the Thai Rak Thai caretaker Government, which was led by Thaksin Shinawatra. The CNS maintains a firm grip on power under the interim constitution, and on October 1st it appointed a retired general, Surayud Chulanont, as prime minister to head the planned year-long transitional government.

Main Political Organisations

The main political parties include Thai Rak Thai (TRT), the Democrat Party (DP), Chart Thai (CT) and Mahachon.

Prime Minister: Surayud Chulanont

Deputy Prime Ministers: Kosit Panpiemras; Paibool Watanasiritham

Key Ministers

Agriculture & Co-operatives: Theera Sutabu

Commerce: Krirkkrai Jirapet

Defence: Boonrawd Somtat

Education: Wijit Srisa-Arn

Energy: Piyasvasti Amranand

Finance: Chalongphob Sussangkarn

Foreign Affairs: Nitya Pibulsongkram

Industry: Kosit Panpiemras

Information Technology & Communications: Sitthichai Pokai-Udom

Interior: Aree Wong-Araya

Justice: Charnchai Likitjitta

Labour & Social Welfare: Apai Chanthanajulaka

Natural Resources & Environment: Kasem Santiwong Na Ayudhaya

Public Health: Mongkol Na Songkhla

Science & Technology: Yongyuth Yuthawongse

Social development & human services: Paibool Watanasiritham

Tourism & Sport: Suwit Yodmanee

Transport & Communications: Thira Haocharoen

Central Bank Governor

Tarisa Watanagase