| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Rathasapha / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Wuthisapha / Senate |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Saphaphuthan Ratsadon / House of Representatives
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Senate |
| Term |
- duration: 2 years (half of House term)
- reasons for interruption of the term: loss of membership of the Senate, resignation, holding a position of Minister or other position, or becoming consultant of any political party, being sentenced by judgment of the Court of imprisonment, death, dissolution of the Senate |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Senators present at the election
- election held during the first sitting of the Senate
- after Members' mandates are validated |
| Eligibility |
- any Senator can be candidate. A nomination must be seconded by not less than 5 Senators
- closing for nomination of candidature is decided by the Senate, at the sitting |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- the candidate receiving the largest number of votes shall be elected. If there are several persons receiving the largest number of votes equally, a new election shall be conducted among such persons.
If they receive the largest number of votes equally again, the method of drawing lots shall be adopted |
| Procedures / results |
- the most senior Senator presides over the Senate during the voting
- the most senior Senator of the sitting, 5 Senators who are invited to count the votes and the Secretary General supervise the voting
- the most senior Senator of the sitting announces the results without any delay
- the Secretary General of the Senate informs the Prime Minister of the the name of the winning candidate for further presentation to the King
- the results can be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- comes after the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in the order of precedence,
- is ex officio Vice-President of the National Assembly
- the Speaker of the House of Representatives presides over joint sittings of both Chambers
- represents the Senate with the public authorities
- is ex officio member of the Constitutional Tribunal, and may be President of this Tribunal during the dissolution or the expiration of the term of the House of Representatives
- is ex officio Vice-Chairman of the Parliamentary Services Committee
- represents the Senate in international bodies (Thai National Group in the Inter-Parliamentary union, Asia- Pacific Parliamentary Union and ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organisation)
- in the absence of the President, the first Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions In the event of the latter's absence, the second Vice-President will replace him |
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- monthly allowance of 63,000 Bath (approximately US $ 2,423)
+additional allowance of 45,000 Bath per month (approximately US $ 1,750)
- secretariat
- additional staff
- 4 assistants |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- refers texts to a committee for study |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Senate together with the Secretary General
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Senate according to precedents
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
- is indirectly responsible for establishing the Senate budget through the Secretary General
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- organizes the services of the Senate
- can play a specific role in the conduct of defence matters when the Senate performs the function of the National Assembly in giving approval to a war declaration prepared by the Government during the expiration of the term or the dissolution of the House of Representatives
- plays a specific role in the field of foreign affairs when the President of the National Assembly is absent or unable to perform such duties
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Senate |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates leaving his chair of President
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- plays a role in ensuring the constitutionality of laws as a Member of the Constitutional Tribunal |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
