This is a list of current governors of provinces in Thailand, along with one special administrative area (Bangkok). In all 76 provinces, the governor is appointed by the Ministry of Interior. [1] This is due to the centralised nature of Thailand's government which began during the reign of King Chulalongkorn from 1892 onwards. Chulalongkorn's centralisation also saw the replacement of local rulers, such as in Lan Na, with rulers appointed by the government. Appointed governors have sometimes been outsiders to their governing province. [2]
This is except Bangkok who, as the only special administrative area, has elected its governors since 1975. However, from 1977 to 1985, and 2014 to 2022, elections were suspended due to military junta rule and the governor was appointed by the Ministry of Interior. [3] The only other local area which elects its leader is Pattaya as it's a special governed city. [4] Pattaya is part of Chonburi province.
Special administrative area | Image | Governor | Party | Election | Took office | Time in office | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bangkok (list) | Chadchart Sittipunt | Independent | 2022 | 22 May 2022 [5] | 2 years, 98 days |
Province | Governor | Took office | Time in office |
---|---|---|---|
Amnat Charoen | Thaweep Butpho | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Ang Thong | Verasak Vichitsangsri | 12 September 2021 | 2 years, 351 days |
Bueng Kan | Sanit Khaosa-ard | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 332 days |
Buriram | Thatchakorn Hatthathayakul | 1 October 2018 | 5 years, 332 days |
Chachoengsao | Maitree Traitilanan | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Chai Nat | Rangsan Tancharoen | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Chaiyaphum | Kraisorn Kongchalard | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Chanthaburi | Suthee Thongyam | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Chiang Mai | Nirat Pongsitthaworn | 1 October 2022 | 1 year, 332 days |
Chiang Rai | Puttipong Sirimart | 1 October 2022 | 1 year, 332 days |
Chonburi | Thawatchai Srithong [6] | 1 October 2022 | 1 year, 332 days |
Chumphon | Teera Anantaseriwittaya | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Kalasin | Songpol Jai-krim | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Kamphaeng Phet | Chawalit Saeng-uthai | 1 October 2018 | 5 years, 332 days |
Kanchanaburi | Jirakiat Phumsawat | 1 October 2017 | 6 years, 332 days |
Khon Kaen | Somsak Jangtrakul | 1 October 2017 | 6 years, 332 days |
Krabi | Phutthiphong Sirimat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Lampang | Sithichai Jindaluang | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Lamphun | Worayut Naowarat | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Loei | Chaitawat Niemsiri | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Lopburi (list) | Niwat Rungsakorn | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Mae Hong Son | Vacant | ||
Maha Sarakham | Kiattisak Trongsiri | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Mukdahan | Chaloemphon Mangkhang | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Nakhon Nayok | Amphon Angkapakornkun | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Nakhon Pathom | Surasak Charoensirichot | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Nakhon Phanom | Chathip Ruchanaseri | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Nakhon Ratchasima | Wichian Chantaranothai | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Nakhon Sawan | Chayan Sirimas | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Nakhon Si Thammarat | Kraisorn Wisitwong | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Nan | Vacant | ||
Narathiwat | Sanan Pongaksorn | 1 Oktober 2021 | 2 years, 351 days |
Nong Bua Lamphu | Siwaporn Chuasawas | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Nong Khai | Monsit Phaisanthanawat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Nonthaburi | Suchin Chaichumsak | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 332 days |
Pathum Thani | Vacant After the Death of Narongsak Osotthanakorn | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Pattani | Niphan Boonluang | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Phang Nga | Chamroen Thipphayaphongthada | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 332 days |
Phatthalung | Kukiat Wongkraphan | 1 October 2017 | 6 years, 332 days |
Phayao | Chokdee Amornwat | 25 May 2021 | 3 years, 95 days |
Phetchabun | Krit Kongmuang | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Phetchaburi | Pakapong Tawipat | 15 June 2020 | 4 years, 74 days |
Phichit | Paiboon Nabutchom | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Phitsanulok | Ronnachai Chitwiset | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | Weerachai Nakmas | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Phrae | Somwang Phuangbangpho | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Phuket | Narong Woonsiew | 15 June 2020 | 4 years, 74 days |
Prachinburi | Woraphan Suwannus | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Prachuap Khiri Khan | Vacant after the death of Niti Vivatvanich [7] | 19 December 2023 | 23 days |
Ranong | Somkiat Sisanet | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Ratchaburi | Ronnapop Luangpairote | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Rayong | Channa Iamsaeng | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Roi Et | Phusit Somchit | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Sa Kaeo | Parinya Phothisat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Sakon Nakhon | Chureerat Thep-at | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Samut Prakan | Wanchai Kongkasem | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Samut Sakhon | Narong Rakroi | 12 September 2021 | 2 years, 351 days |
Samut Songkhram | Charas Bunnasa | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 332 days |
Saraburi | Manrat Rattanasukhon | 1 October 2018 | 5 years, 332 days |
Satun | Ekkarat Leesen | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Sing Buri | Chaichan Sittiwirattham | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Sisaket | Watthana Phutthichat | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 332 days |
Songkhla | Jessada Jitrat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Sukhothai | Wirun Phandevi | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Suphan Buri | Natthapat Suwanprateep | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Surat Thani (list) | Witchawut Jinto | 1 October 2017 | 6 years, 332 days |
Surin | Suvapong Kitiphatpiboon | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Tak | Vacant | ||
Trang | Khajornsak Charoensopha | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Trat | Chamnanwit Terat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Ubon Ratchathani | Pongrat Phiromrat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Udon Thani | Siam Sirimongkol | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Uthai Thani | Khajonkiat Rakpanichmanee | 12 September 2021 | 2 years, 351 days |
Uttaradit | Phol Damtham | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
Yala | Pirom Nilthaya | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
Yasothon | Chonlatee Yangtrong | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 332 days |
A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of a state's official representative. Depending on the type of political region or polity, a governor may be either appointed or elected, and the governor's powers can vary significantly, depending on the public laws in place locally. The adjective pertaining to a governor is gubernatorial, from the Latin root gubernare. In a federated state, the governor may serve as head of state and head of government for their regional polity, while still operating under the laws of the federation, which has its own head of state for the entire federation.
The provinces of Thailand are administrative divisions of the government of Thailand. The country is divided into 76 provinces proper, with one additional special administrative area. They are the primary local government units and act as juristic persons. They are divided into amphoe (districts) which are further divided into tambon, the next lower level of local government.
Nakhon Si Thammarat province is a province (changwat) of Thailand, on the western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. As of 2018, it was the most populous province of Southern Thailand, with a population of approximately 1.5 million. Neighboring provinces are Songkhla, Phatthalung, Trang, Krabi and Surat Thani.
ISO 3166-2:TH is the entry for Thailand in ISO 3166-2, part of the ISO 3166 standard published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which defines codes for the names of the principal subdivisions of all countries coded in ISO 3166-1.
Chonburi is a province of Thailand (changwat) located in eastern Thailand. Its capital is also named Chonburi. Neighbouring provinces are Chachoengsao, Chanthaburi, and Rayong, while the Bay of Bangkok is to the west. Pattaya, a major tourism destination in Thailand, is located in Chonburi, along with Laem Chabang, the country's primary seaport. The population of the province has grown rapidly and now totals 1.7 million residents, although a large portion of the population is floating or unregistered. The registered population as of 31 December 2018 was 1.535 million.
Nonthaburi is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand, established by the Act Establishing Changwat Samut Prakan, Changwat Nonthaburi, Changwat Samut Sakhon and Changwat Nakhon Nayok, Buddhist Era 2489 (1946), which came into force on 9 May 1946 (Thursday).
Monthon, also known as Monthon Thesaphiban, were administrative subdivisions of Thailand at the beginning of the 20th century. The Thai word monthon is a translation of the word mandala, in its sense of a type of political formation. The monthon were created as a part of the Thesaphiban bureaucratic administrative system, introduced by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab which, together with the monthon, established step-by-step today's present provinces (changwat), districts (amphoe), and communes (tambon) throughout Thailand. Each monthon was led by a royal commissioner called Thesaphiban (เทศาภิบาล), later renamed to Samuhathesaphiban (สมุหเทศาภิบาล). The system was officially adopted by the 1897 Local Administration Act, after some monthon had been established and administrative details were sorted out.
Pathum Thani is one of the central provinces (changwat) of Thailand. Neighboring provinces are : Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Chachoengsao, Bangkok, and Nonthaburi.
Tambon is a local governmental unit in Thailand. Below district (amphoe) and province (changwat), they form the third administrative subdivision level. As of 2016 there were 7,255 tambons, not including the 180 khwaeng of Bangkok, which are set at the same administrative level, thus every district contains eight to ten tambon. Tambon is usually translated as "township" or "subdistrict" in English — the latter is the recommended translation, though also often used for king amphoe, the designation for a subdistrict acting as a branch of the parent district. Tambon are further subdivided into 74,944 villages (muban) as of 2008. Tambon within cities or towns are not subdivided into villages, but may have less formal communities called chumchon that may be formed into community associations. The average area of a subdistrict in Thailand is about 70.72 km2 (27.31 sq mi), while its average population of a subdistrict in Thailand is about 9,637 people.
Pattaya is a city in Eastern Thailand, the second-largest city in Chonburi province and the eighth-largest city in Thailand. It is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast of Bangkok, and has a population of 328,961 as of 2021.
Some parts of the Government of Thailand are selected through democratic elections. These include the House of Representatives of Thailand,, local Administrations, Governorship of Bangkok and national referendums. Thailand has so far had 28 general elections since 1933; the last election was in 2023. Voting in elections in Thailand is compulsory. All elections in Thailand are regulated by the Election Commission of Thailand.
Thailand is a unitary state in Southeast Asia. The administrative services of the executive branch of the government are regulated by the National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991). Under this Act, the services are divided into three levels: central, provincial and local.
The Government of Thailand, or formally the Royal Thai Government, is the unitary government of the Kingdom of Thailand. The country emerged as a modern nation state after the foundation of the Chakri Dynasty and the city of Bangkok in 1782. The Revolution of 1932 brought an end to absolute monarchy and replaced it with a constitutional monarchy.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is the local government of Bangkok, which includes the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. The government is composed of two branches: the executive and the legislative. The administration's roles are to formulate and implement policies to manage Bangkok. Its purview includes transport services, urban planning, waste management, housing, roads and highways, security services, and the environment.
The Ministry of Interior of the Kingdom of Thailand is a cabinet-level department in the Government of Thailand. The ministry has wide ranging responsibilities. It is responsible for local administration, internal security, citizenship, disaster management, road safety, land management, issuance of national identity cards, and public works. The ministry is responsible for appointing the 76 governors of the Provinces of Thailand. The Minister of Interior is the head of the ministry. He is appointed by the King of Thailand on the recommendation of the prime minister. Since 1 September 2023, the head of the ministry has been Anutin Charnvirakul. He is aided by two deputy ministers. The FY2019 budget of the ministry is 371,802 million baht.
Itthiphol Khunpluem is a Thai politician who served as Minister of Culture in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from July 2019 to September 2023, and as Mayor of Pattaya from 2008 to 2016.
Kham Yodpetch, also known by his title Major Phra Yot Muang Kwang was a Siamese government official under the Ministry of Interior during the reign of King Chulalongkorn. He was the Siamese last governor of Khammouane, a province in the Lao Puan Administrative Division (Monthon) on the border with French Annam. He served under the command of Prince Prachaksinlapakhom, then Governor of Lao Puan Administrative Division and the reigning monarch's brother. Territorial disputes with the French and the ensuing Franco-Siamese crisis of 1893 foregrounded his role as governor of two strategically significant border towns. He would rise to further prominence after French colonial authorities tried and imprisoned him.
Thailand is a unitary state, which means the territories are separated into central co-dependencies, with the central government deciding everything for the provinces. The kingdom is separated into multiple levels including regions, provinces, and many more. Though, formally, Thailand is separated into three levels: provinces, districts, and sub-districts, there are also informal divisions such as parimonthon, and phak. Furthermore, there are administrative divisions of the same level with different names such as the first-level divisions of the province and the special administrative region.
The 2022 Pattaya City council election was held on 22 May 2022 to elect the mayor of Pattaya, as well as the members of the city council. The election took place on the same day as the gubernatorial election in Bangkok, and was the first local election held in Pattaya since June 2012.