The political framework of Thailand

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

King: Maha Vajiralongkorn, Rama X (since 13 December 2016) – hereditary
Prime Minister: Phaethongthan Chinnawat (since 18 August 2024)

Next Election Dates

House of Representatives: May 2028
Senate: June 2029

Current Political Context

In August 2023, the Thai Parliament averted a looming political crisis by ultimately selecting a new prime minister, marking the return of one of the nation's most divisive figures after a 15-year self-imposed exile. Thai lawmakers elected real estate mogul and political novice Srettha Thavisin from the populist Pheu Thai party as the country's 30th prime minister,  forming a governing coalition alongside its historical military adversaries. However, his tenure was short-lived, as the Constitutional Court found his appointment of ex-convict Pichit Chuenban as a cabinet minister to be an ethical violation, leading to his resignation from office in August 2024. A few days later, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was appointed Thailand’s youngest new prime minister, at 38. Despite being seen as a potential unifier for the Pheu Thai Party, her leadership faced scrutiny given the ongoing internal divisions and political unrest. As a newcomer to the role, she confronted significant challenges, particularly in stabilizing the government and addressing the country's economic difficulties. The cabinet comprises 17 members from Pheu Thai, including the premier, and another 19 positions divided among coalition partners.

Main Political Parties

Thailand maintains a multi-party system, but traditional political parties have seen their role reduced in the parliament since the military-led coup in 2014. Currently, the main parties represented in the House of Representatives are:

- Pheu Thai Party (PTP); centre-right, it is the current majority ruling party.
- People's Party (PPLE): Centre-left, it is the successor party of the former Move Forward Party, which was dissolved by the Constitutional Court in August 2024.
- Bhumjaithai: Centrist, focusing on rural interests.
- United Thai Nation: Nationalist, advocating for Thai interests.
- Democrat: Center-right.
- Palang Pracharat: Right-wing, supportive of the military establishment.
- Kla Tham: Center-right
- Chart Thai Pattana Party: Regionalist emphasizing agricultural policies.
- Prachachart: Populist focusing on grassroots issues.
- Thai Sang Thai: Nationalist.

Executive Power

Thailand is governed by a constitutional monarchy. The King is the Chief of State, and the monarchy is hereditary. Traditionally, the King has little direct political power but benefits from enormous popular respect and moral authority, which has occasionally been used to resolve political crises and ensure national stability. Official power rests with the government.
The Prime Minister is the Head of Government and holds executive powers, including the implementation of laws and the management of the country's day-to-day affairs. Under the Constitution approved in April 2017, individuals outside of parliament can serve as Prime Minister. The cabinet is appointed by the King on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Thailand’s 76 provinces, each administered by an appointed Governor, are divided into districts, sub-districts (tambons), and villages. Bangkok, which is a special administrative area with the status of a province, is governed by an elected Governor.

Legislative Power

The legislature in Thailand is bicameral, with the parliament being the National Assembly. It consists of the Senate (the upper house) with 250 seats, all of its members appointed by the Royal Thai Military under the new Constitution adopted in April 2017, serving five-year terms. However, the Senate appointed in 2024 will consist of 200 members elected from various professional groups for a five-year term. The House of Representatives (the lower house) has 500 seats, with its members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. Of these, 375 are directly elected through single constituency elections, and 125 are elected through party-list proportional representation. The executive branch of government is directly or indirectly dependent on the support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. The government cannot veto acts passed by parliament.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

World Rank:

137/180

Source: World Press Freedom Index, Reporters Without Borders

Indicator of Political Freedom

Ranking:

Not Free

Political Freedom:

7/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House