The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร) is the name given to the local government of Bangkok or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, which includes the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. The government comprises two branches: the executive (or the Governor of Bangkok) and the legislative (or Bangkok Metropolitan Council). The administration's roles are to formulate and implement policies regarding the management of Bangkok, these include: transport services, urban planning, waste management, housing, roads and highways, security services and the environment.
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Governor of Bangkok ผู้ว่าราชการ กรุงเทพมหานคร |
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Seal of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration |
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Term length | 4 years renewable |
Inaugural holder | Chamnan Yaovabun |
Formation | 1973 |
Website | http://www.bangkok.go.th/ |
The Governor of Bangkok (Thai: ผู้ว่าราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร or ผู้ว่ากรุงเทพ) is the head of the local government of Bangkok. The Governor is also the chief executive of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The governor is elected to a renewable term of four years, currently it is one of the two directly elected executive office in the Kingdom. The office is comparable to that of a city mayor.
The current incumbent is Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the Democrat Party, he was elected in a by-election on the 11 January 2009 to replace Apirak Kosayothin, who resign after being indicted for corruption.
The powers and role of the office of Governor of Bangkok in accordance with the Bangkok Metropolis Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985) (Thai: พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร พ.ศ. 2528) are as follows:
Since 1973 the city was administered by a single executive appointed by the Cabinet from civil servants of the city administration. However soon it was determined that the executive office should a popularly elected office instead. The passage of the Bangkok Metropolis Organisation Act, BE 2518 (1975) (Thai: พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร พ.ศ. 2518), created the Bangkok Metropolis to replace Bangkok Province and created an elected governor with a 4 year term.
The first election for the office was held on the 10 August 1975. Thamnoon Thien-ngern was elected the first elected Governor of Bangkok, however conflicts between the Governor and the Bangkok Metropolitan Council became so fierce that Tanin Kraivixien, the Prime Minister of Thailand decided to remove him and reinstated the appointed system. Elections resumed, with the passing of the Bangkok Metropolis Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985), the elections were held on the 14 November 1985.
No. | Name | Term Start | Term Ends | Political Party |
1 | Chamnan Yaovabun | 1 January 1973 | 22 October 1973 | (Appointed) |
2 | At Visutyothaphiban | 1 November 1973 | 4 June 1974 | (Appointed) |
3 | Siri Santabutra | 5 June 1974 | 9 March 1975 | (Appointed) |
4 | Sai Hutacharoen | 5 May 1975 | 9 August 1975 | (Appointed) |
5 | Thammanoon Thien-ngern | 10 August 1975 | 29 April 1977 | Democrat Party |
6 | Chalor Thammasiri | 29 April 1977 | 14 May 1979 | (Appointed) |
7 | Chaowat Sudlapa | 4 July 1979 | 16 April 1981 | (Appointed) |
8 | Admiral Thiem Mokaranont | 28 April 1981 | 1 November 1984 | (Appointed) |
9 | Asa Meksavan | 6 November 1984 | 13 November 1985 | (Appointed) |
10 | Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang | 14 November 1985 | 14 November 1989 | Ruam Phalang Group |
7 January 1990 | 22 January 1992 | Phalang Dharma Party | ||
11 | Captain Kritsada Arunwong na Ayutthaya | 19 April 1992 | 18 April 1996 | Independent |
12 | Bhichit Rattakul | 3 June 1996 | 22 July 2000 | Independent |
13 | Samak Sundaravej | 23 July 2000 | 28 August 2004 | Thai Citizens Party |
14 | Apirak Kosayothin | 29 August 2004 | 28 August 2008 | Democrat Party |
5 October 2008 | 19 November 2008 | |||
15 | Mom Rajawongse Sukhumbhand Paribatra | 11 January 2009 | Present | Democrat Party |
Bangkok Metropolitan Council สภากรุงเทพมหานคร Sapha Krung Thep Maha Nakhon |
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Type | |
Type | City Council |
Leadership | |
Chairman of the Council | Thawatchai Piyanonthaya since 23 July 2006 |
Members | 57 members |
Elections | |
Last election | 23 July 2006 |
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Bangkok City Hall | |
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Bangkok Metropolitan Council |
The Bangkok Metropolitan Council or BMC (Thai: สภากรุงเทพมหานคร) is the legislative branch of the Administration. It is vested with primary legislative powers as well as the power to scrutinize and advise the Governor. The Council is headed by the Chairman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (Thai: ประธานสภากรุงเทพมหานคร). The current Chairman is Thawatchai Piyanonthaya since 2006.
The Council is made up of 57 members elected from 57 constituencies (some constituency elects more than one member) based around Bangkok. They are elected to a four year term. The last election was held on 30 April 2006.
The Council is divided into 11 General Committees with 5-9 members appointed by the councillors themselves:
The Secretariat of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (Thai: สำนักงานเลขานุการสภากรุงเทพมหานคร) is the executive agency of the Council. The Secretariat helps the Council in all its roles including: drafting of legislation, organisation of sessions, minutes and procedures of the Council. The Secretariat also helps members of the Council by providing them research aid and legal counsel. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council (Thai: เลขานุการสภากรุงเทพมหานคร) The current Secretary is: Manit Tej-Apichok. The Secretariat itself is divided into 9 groups:
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