Ministry of Interior (Thailand)
| กระทรวงมหาดไทย | |
|
"The Seal of the Lion" by Prince Narisara Nuvadtivongs | |
| Ministry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 April 1892 |
| |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Thailand |
| Headquarters |
Office of the Minister of Interior, Asadang Road, Ratchabophit, Bangkok 10200  |
| Annual budget | 179,373.5 million Baht (2007) |
| Ministers responsible |
|
| Website | www.moi.go.th |
The Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Thailand (Thai: กระทรวงมหาดไทย; rtgs: Krasuang Mahatthai; Abrv: MOI) is an important Cabinet-level department in the Government of Thailand. The Ministry is given wide ranging responsibilities over many aspects. For example, the Ministry has responsibility over: local administrations, internal security, citizenship, disaster management, land management, issuing national identity cards and public works. The Ministry is also responsible for appointing 76 Governors of the Provinces of Thailand. The Minister of Interior (Thai: รัฐมนตรีกระทรวงมหาดไทย) is the head of the Ministry, he is appointed by the King of Thailand at the advice of the Prime Minister. Since 30 August 2014, the head of the ministry is retired General Anupong Paochinda. He is aided by one deputy minister.
History
The Ministry in its present form was founded by King Chulalongkorn (or Rama V) in his reforms of the Siamese government. The ministry was founded on the 1 April 1892, he appointed his brother Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, to be its first "Minister of State". At the time the Ministry was divided into three divisions: the Central Division (Thai: กรมมหาดไทยกลาง), the Northern Division (Thai: กรมมหาดไทยฝ่ายเหนือ) and the Local Administration Division (Thai: กรมพลัมภัง).
Soon Prince Damrong reorganized the workings of the entire Ministry and as a result the entire country. He created the Monthon system, a complete new sub-division for the Kingdom. During this time he and the Ministry took on so much power, that he was considered powerful second only to the King. After King Vajiravudh (or Rama VI) succeeded his father in 1910, the relationship between King and Prince Damrong deteriorated. In 1915 Prince Damrong resigned, officially citing health reasons, though it was an open secret that disagreements with the King were the real reason.
During the Revolution of 1932 (actually, coup d'état), the Minister of Interior was Prince Paripatra Sukhumbhand, who was exiled after the revolution because of his power. From then on the Minister became an appointed position within the Cabinet of Thailand. Most Minister had been a member or retired member of the Police.
Departments
| Administrative divisions of Thailand |
|---|
| Central |
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| Provincial |
| Local |
| Special governed cities |
Administration
- Office of the Minister
- Office of the Permanent Secretary
Dependent Department
- Community Development Department
- Department of Lands
- Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA กรมการปกครอง)
- Department of Local Administration
- Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation
- Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning
State Enterprises
- The Marketing Organization
- Metropolitan Electricity Authority
- The Metropolitan Waterworks Authority
- Provincial Electricity Authority
- The Provincial Waterworks Authority
See also
- Royal Thai Police
- Administrative divisions of Thailand
- Thesaban
- Provinces of Thailand
- Cabinet of Thailand
- List of Government Ministers of Thailand
- Government of Thailand
References
External links
- Ministry of Interior - Official Website (Thai)
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Coordinates: 13°45′01″N 100°29′51″E / 13.750385°N 100.49749°E