The ministry is in charge of the criminal justice system in the kingdom.

The ministry is headed by the Minister of Justice, Tawee Sodsong.

The monarch centralized the court and judicial system of the country.

In 1912, under King Vajiravudh (Rama VI), the ministry was divided when the Court of Justice was given responsibilities over judicial affairs and the ministry retained responsibility for the legal and administrative areas.

In 1991, the National Assembly of Thailand passed the Improvement of Government Organisation Act.