Cabinet of Thailand

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The cabinet of Thailand or, 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".

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

First Cabinet of Plaek Pibulsonggram or the Ninth Cabinet of Siam, active from 16 December 1938 – 7 March 1942.

Qualifications

Government House in 2009, the meeting place and office of the Cabinet

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:

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.

Present cabinet

This is the Prayuth cabinet on 30 August 2014.

Cabinet of Thailand[2]
Portfolio Minister
Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha
Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon
Gen Tanasak Patimapragorn
MR Somkid Jatusripitak
Yongyuth Yuthavong
Wissanu Krea-ngam
The Office of the Prime Minister ML Panadda Diskul
Suwapan Tanyuwattana
Ministry of Interior Gen Anupong Paochinda
Deputy Minister of Interior Sutee Markboon
Ministry of Justice Gen Paiboon Khumchaya
Ministry of Defence Gen Prawit Wongsuwon
Deputy Minister of Defence Gen Udomdej Sitabutr
Ministry of Finance Sommai Phasee
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Don Pramudwinai
Ministry of Social Development and Human Security Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew
Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Petipong Pungbun Na Ayudhya
Ministry of Transport ACM Prajin Juntong
Deputy Minister of Transport Pol. Lt Gen Arkhom Termpittayapaisith
Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment Gen Daopong Rattanasuwan
Ministry of Information and Communication Technology Pornchai Rujiprapa
Ministry of Energy Narongchai Akrasanee
Ministry of Commerce Gen Chatchai Sarikalya
Deputy Minister of Commerce Apiradee Tantraporn
Ministry of Labour Gen Surasak Kanchanarat
Ministry of Culture Veera Rojpojanarat
Ministry of Science and Technology Pichet Durongkaveroj
Ministry of Education Adm Narong Pipathanasai
Deputy Minister of Education Lt Gen Surachet Chaiyawong
Krissanapong Kirtikara
Ministry of Public Health Rajata Rajatanavin
Deputy Minister of Public Health Somsak Chunharas
Ministry of Industry Atchaka Sibunruang
Ministry of Tourism and Sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul

2014 asset disclosures

In October 2014 Thailand's National Counter-Corruption Commission (NCCC) made public the assets of the prime minister and his cabinet. One-third of the ministers are worth more than THB100 million.

The prime minister declared THB128 million (US$4 million) in net assets and THB645,754 baht (US$19,676) in debts. Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathon Devakula, the wealthiest cabinet member, declared THB1,378 million (US$42 million) in assets with no debt. Next is Panadda Diskul, who runs the Office of the Prime Minister, who declared THB1,315 million (US$40 million) in assets and no debt. The poorest cabinet member is Education Minister Narong Pipatanasai with THB6.95 million (US$211,696) in assets and THB2.92 million (US$88,000) in debt.[3]


See also

References

  1. ↑ 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
  2. ↑ http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/429745/prayuth-1-cabinet-endorsed
  3. ↑ "Assets of PM and Cabinet Revealed". Khaosod English. 2014-10-31. Retrieved 2014-11-19.


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