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The Leader of the Opposition of Thailand (Thai: ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านในสภาผู้แทนราษฎรไทย or หัวหน้าพรรคฝ่ายค้าน) is the politician in the politics of Thailand who leads the main minority party in the House of Representatives of Thailand. Following the Westminster style parliamentary system, Thailand has had an official Leader of the Opposition since 1975. Under the 2007 Constitution of Thailand the Leader of the Opposition was given an official role within the Thai political system. The constitution stipulates that the Leader of the opposition must be selected after the Prime Minister and the Cabinet has taken office.
To be nominated as candidate one must be the leader of the largest political party with no member holding any ministerial positions and if his or her party holds more or one-fifth (96 seats) of the seats in the House (480 seats). If no candidate meets this qualification then a leader of a minority party with the largest number of votes from parties with no members holding ministerial positions will be selected. The appointment will then be formalized by the King of Thailand.
The Leader of the Opposition also has other roles apart from leading the Shadow Cabinet of Thailand, he is also an ex-officio member of several selection committees for: Constitutional Court Judges, Election Commissioners, Ombudsmen and commissioners of the National Counter Corruption Commission and members of the State Audit Commission.
List of Leaders of the Opposition
| No. | Name | Term Start | Term Ends | Political Party |
| 1 | MR Seni Pramoj | 2 March 1975 | 12 January 1976 | Democrat Party |
| 2 (1) |
Praman Adireksan | 24 May 1983 | 1 May 1986 | Thai Nation Party |
| 3 (1) |
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh | 15 May 1992 | 16 June 1992 | New Aspiration Party |
| 2 (2) |
Praman Adireksan | 30 December 1992 | 7 May 1994 | Thai Nation Party |
| 4 | Banharn Silpa-archa | 27 May 1994 | 19 May 1995 | Thai Nation Party |
| 5 (1,2) |
Chuan Leekpai | 4 August 1995 | 27 September 1996 | Democrat Party |
| 21 December 1996 | 8 November 1997 | |||
| 3 (2-4) |
Chavalit Yongchaiyudh | 26 November 1997 | 12 January 1998 | New Aspiration Party |
| 2 September 1998 | 27 April 1999 | |||
| 12 May 1999 | 30 April 2000 | |||
| 5 (3) |
Chuan Leekpai | 11 March 2001 | 3 May 2003 | Democrat Party |
| 6 | Banyat Bantadtan | 23 May 2003 | 5 January 2005 | Democrat Party |
| 7 (1,2) |
Abhisit Vejjajiva | 23 April 2005 | 19 September 2006 | Democrat Party |
| 27 February 2008 | 17 December 2008 |
Brackets indicate number of term
See also
- Shadow Cabinet of Thailand
- List of political parties in Thailand
- House of Representatives of Thailand
References
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
