Cabinet of Thailand
Encyclopedia
The Cabinet of Thailand or, formally, the Council of Ministers of Thailand ( 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 His Majesty the King of Thailand. Most members are heads a government department with the title of "Minister of State" (. The Cabinet is chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand
. The Cabinet is often collectively called "the Government" or "the Royal Thai Government".
, the absolutist Chakri Kings ruled Siam through a series of "Krom" ( and "Senabodi" (. On the 15 April 1874 King Chulalongkorn
founded the King's Privy Council
( (which still exists today) made up of 49 senior Prince
s and officials. For the first time the Kings of Siam exercised his powers through a council.
On the 14 July 1925 King Prajadhipok
formed the Supreme Council of State of Siam ( 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 ( led by a President. The Privy Council
from then on became a royal advisory council.
With the promulgating 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 to communistic
. The first Cabinet of Thailand was led by Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
. All government departments and agencies were then immediately transferred to its control. There have so far been 58 Cabinets of Thailand.
the Cabinet is restricted to no more than 35 Members. Members of the cabinet unlike that of the Prime Minister does not need to be a member of the House of Representatives
, however most of them often are. To be eligible to be a minister an individual must meet the following qualifications:
The individual must also: not be addicted to drugs, not having been bankrupt, not a monk or a member of the clergy, not be disenfranchised, not be mentally infirm, not be under indictment or conviction, not having 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:
calls the Cabinet: the Council of Ministers, the entire IXth Chapter is dedicated to it. Out of the 35 Ministers there are only 20 Cabinet Ministries; which means that 15 Ministers are without portfolios, they however can 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
. The Ministers have the right to go in person to the National Assembly to state and explain his policies or opinions.
The 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 at the advice of the Prime Minister.
s 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 infused with that of the Prime Minister. The Leader of the Opposition is allowed to create his own Cabinet or the Shadow Cabinet of Thailand.
was appointed Prime Minister with effect on 5 August 2011, she handed in her cabinet list for endorsement on 9 August. Yingluck and her cabinet were sworn in at Siriraj Hospital where King Bhumibol Adulyadej resides, on 10 August.
Cabinet (government)
A Cabinet is a body of high ranking government officials, typically representing the executive branch. It can also sometimes be referred to as the Council of Ministers, an Executive Council, or an Executive Committee.- Overview :...
is the primary organ of the executive branch of the Thai government. Members of the Cabinet are nominated by the Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
and formally appointed by His Majesty the King of Thailand. Most members are heads a government department with the title of "Minister of State" (. The Cabinet is chaired by the Prime Minister of Thailand
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
. The Cabinet is often collectively called "the Government" or "the Royal Thai Government".
History
Prior to the Revolution of 1932Siamese Revolution of 1932
The Siamese Revolution of 1932 or the Siamese Coup d'état of 1932 was a crucial turning point in Thai history in the 20th century...
, the absolutist Chakri Kings ruled Siam through a series of "Krom" ( and "Senabodi" (. On the 15 April 1874 King Chulalongkorn
Chulalongkorn
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Chulalongkorn Phra Chunla Chom Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama V was the fifth monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was known to the Siamese of his time as Phra Phuttha Chao Luang . He is considered one of the greatest kings of Siam...
founded the King's Privy Council
Privy Council (Thailand)
The Privy Council of Thailand is a body of appointed advisors to the Monarch of Thailand: King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. The Council, as the Constitution of Thailand stipulates, must be composed of no more than eighteen members...
( (which still exists today) made up of 49 senior Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
s and officials. For the first time the Kings of Siam exercised his powers through a council.
On the 14 July 1925 King Prajadhipok
Prajadhipok
Phra Bat Somdet Phra Poramintharamaha Prajadhipok Phra Pok Klao Chao Yu Hua , or Rama VII was the seventh monarch of Siam under the House of Chakri. He was the last absolute monarch and the first constitutional monarch of the country. His reign was a turbulent time for Siam due to huge political...
formed the Supreme Council of State of Siam ( 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
Khana Ratsadon
Khana Ratsadon , frequently mistakenly written as Khana Rat , was a Siamese group of military and civil officers, and later a political party, which staged a bloodless coup against King Prajadhipok and transited the country's absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy on 24 June 1932.-The...
decided to dissolve this council. Instead the New constitution created a direct precursor of the Cabinet called: the People’s Committee of Siam ( led by a President. The Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
from then on became a royal advisory council.
With the promulgating 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
Prime Minister of Thailand
The Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
. After King Prajadhipok deemed the old names to communistic
Communism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
. The first Cabinet of Thailand was led by Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada
Phraya Manopakorn Nititada , born Kon Hutasingha , was the first Prime Minister of Siam after the Siamese Revolution of 1932 as he was selected by the leader of the People's Party - the party that instigated the revolution...
. All government departments and agencies were then immediately transferred to its control. There have so far been 58 Cabinets of Thailand.
Ministers of State
Qualifications
According to the 2007 Constitution2007 Constitution of Thailand
A Permanent Constitution for the Kingdom of Thailand was drafted by a committee established by the military junta that abrogated the previous 1997 Constitution. On August 19, 2007, a referendum was held in which 59.3% of the voters voted in favor of the constitution...
the Cabinet is restricted to no more than 35 Members. Members of the cabinet unlike that of the Prime Minister does not need to be a member of the House of Representatives
House of Representatives of Thailand
The House of Representatives of the Kingdom of Thailand is the lower house of the National Assembly of Thailand, the legislative branch of the Thai Government. The system of government of Thailand is that of a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Democracy. The system of the Thai...
, however most of them often are. To be eligible to be a minister an individual must meet the following qualifications:
- Be a ThaiThai peopleThe Thai people, or Siamese, are the main ethnic group of Thailand and are part of the larger Tai ethnolinguistic peoples found in Thailand and adjacent countries in Southeast Asia as well as southern China. Their language is the Thai language, which is classified as part of the Kradai family of...
national by birth. - Being older than thirty-five years of age.
- Having graduated with not lower than a Bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
- Not be a member of the SenateSenate of ThailandThe Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand is the upper house of the National Assembly of Thailand, . In accordance with the 2007 Constitution of Thailand, the Senate is a non-partisan legislative chamber, composed of 150 members...
(former Senators must wait 2 years after term to be eligible)
The individual must also: not be addicted to drugs, not having been bankrupt, not a monk or a member of the clergy, not be disenfranchised, not be mentally infirm, not be under indictment or conviction, not having been expelled by a state agency for corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
or incompetence
Incompetence
Incompetence is the inability to perform; lack of competence; ineptitude.* Administrative incompetence, dysfunctional administrative behaviors that hinder attainment of organization goals...
, not be a paid civil servant or member of the judiciary
Judiciary
The judiciary is the system of courts that interprets and applies the law in the name of the state. The judiciary also provides a mechanism for the resolution of disputes...
and not ever been removed from any office by the Senate of Thailand
Senate of Thailand
The Senate of the Kingdom of Thailand is the upper house of the National Assembly of Thailand, . In accordance with the 2007 Constitution of Thailand, the Senate is a non-partisan legislative chamber, composed of 150 members...
.
Ministers of State are in theory appointed by the King
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
, 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 ThailandConstitution of Thailand
The Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand is the supreme law of Thailand. Since the change from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional democracy in 1932, Thailand has had 17 charters and constitutions, reflecting the high degree of political instability and frequency of military coups faced...
calls the Cabinet: the Council of Ministers, the entire IXth Chapter is dedicated to it. Out of the 35 Ministers there are only 20 Cabinet Ministries; which means that 15 Ministers are without portfolios, they however can 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
National Assembly of Thailand
The National Assembly of Thailand or the Parliament of Thailand is the legislative branch of the government of Thailand. The National Assembly of Thailand is a bicameral body, consisting of two chambers: the upper house, , and the lower house,...
. The Ministers have the right to go in person to the National Assembly to state and explain his policies or opinions.
The 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
Royal Prerogative
The royal prerogative is a body of customary authority, privilege, and immunity, recognized in common law and, sometimes, in civil law jurisdictions possessing a monarchy as belonging to the sovereign alone. It is the means by which some of the executive powers of government, possessed by and...
by the King at 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 billBill (proposed law)
A bill is a proposed law under consideration by a legislature. A bill does not become law until it is passed by the legislature and, in most cases, approved by the executive. Once a bill has been enacted into law, it is called an act or a statute....
s 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
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
.
The Cabinet is governed by the rule of collective responsibility
Cabinet collective responsibility
Cabinet collective responsibility is constitutional convention in governments using the Westminster System that members of the Cabinet must publicly support all governmental decisions made in Cabinet, even if they do not privately agree with them. This support includes voting for the government in...
, 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 infused with that of the Prime Minister. The Leader of the Opposition is allowed to create his own Cabinet or the Shadow Cabinet of Thailand.
Present Cabinet
After Yingluck ShinawatraYingluck Shinawatra
Yingluck Shinawatra , or nickname Pu , is a Thai businesswoman and politician, member of the Pheu Thai Party, and the 28th Prime Minister of Thailand following the 2011 general election...
was appointed Prime Minister with effect on 5 August 2011, she handed in her cabinet list for endorsement on 9 August. Yingluck and her cabinet were sworn in at Siriraj Hospital where King Bhumibol Adulyadej resides, on 10 August.
See also
- Prime Minister of ThailandPrime Minister of ThailandThe Prime Minister of Thailand is the head of government of Thailand. The Prime Minister is also the chairman of the Cabinet of Thailand. The post has existed since the Revolution of 1932, when the country became a constitutional monarchy....
- King of Thailand
- List of ministries of Thailand
- Independent agencies of the Thai governmentIndependent agencies of the Thai governmentThe Independent agencies of the Thai government under the Constitution) are executive branch agencies of the Government of Thailand, that exists and function outside of the Cabinet Ministries of Thailand....
- Shadow Cabinet of Thailand