Leader of the Opposition (Thailand)

Leader of the Opposition ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านในสภาผู้แทนราษฎร
Incumbent Vacant since 9 December 2013
Term length	While leader of the largest political party not in government

The Leader of the Opposition (Thai: ผู้นำฝ่ายค้านในสภาผู้แทนราษฎร; rtgs: Phu Nam Fai Khan Nai Sapha Phu Thaen Ratsadon) 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.

Colour key
(for political parties)

  Democrat Party

  Thai Nation Party

  New Aspiration Party

  Pheu Thai Party

List of Leaders of the Opposition

No. (Terms)		Picture	Name (Born–Died)	Term Start	Term Ends	Time in office	Political party
	1	70px	Mom Rajawongse Seni Pramoj (1905–1997)	22 March 1975	12 January 1976			Democrat Party
	2 (1)		Pramarn Adireksarn (1913–2010)	24 May 1983	1 May 1986			Thai Nation Party
	3 (1)		Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (1932–)	15 May 1992	16 June 1992			New Aspiration Party
	(2) (2)		Pramarn Adireksarn (1913–2010)	30 December 1992	7 May 1994			Thai Nation Party
	4		Banharn Silpa-archa (1932–2016)	27 May 1994	19 May 1995			Thai Nation Party
	5 (1-2)		Chuan Leekpai (1938–)	4 August 1995	27 September 1996			Democrat Party
				21 December 1996	8 November 1997
	(3) (2-4)		Chavalit Yongchaiyudh (1932–)	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 (1938–)	11 March 2001	3 May 2003			Democrat Party
	6	70px	Banyat Bantadtan (1942–)	23 May 2003	5 January 2005			Democrat Party
	7 (1-2)		Abhisit Vejjajiva (1964–)	23 April 2005	19 September 2006			Democrat Party
				27 February 2008	17 December 2008
	8	70px	Chalerm Yubamrung (1947–)	12 January 2009	5 August 2011			Pheu Thai Party
	(7) (3)		Abhisit Vejjajiva (1964–)	6 August 2011	9 December 2013			Democrat Party

See also

• Shadow Cabinet of Thailand
• List of political parties in Thailand
• House of Representatives of Thailand

References

• สภาผู้แทนราษฎร :: ทำเนียบผู้นำฝ่ายค้าน
• Pheu-Thai-Party-nominates-Chalerm-as-opposition-leader