Governor of Bangkok

Governor of Bangkok
ผู้ว่าราชการ
กรุงเทพมหานคร
Seal of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
since 22 May 2022
Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Reports toMinister of Interior
ResidenceBangkok City Hall
AppointerDirect election[a]
Term lengthFour years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holderChamnan Yaovabun
Formation1 January 1973
DeputyDeputy Governor of Bangkok
Salary฿113,560 per month
Websitehttp://www.bangkok.go.th/

The governor of Bangkok (Thai: ผู้ว่าราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร, RTGSphu wa ratchakan krung thep maha nakhon) 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 offices in the kingdom. The office is comparable to that of a city mayor.

From 2016 to 2022 Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang acted as Governor of Bangkok.[1] He was appointed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha using Section 44 of the interim charter to replace Sukhumbhand Paribatra. The reason given for his ouster was "...because he was involved in many legal cases."[2]

The current incumbent is Chadchart Sittipunt. He was elected in a landslide victory in the 2022 Bangkok gubernatorial election, receiving 52.65 % (1.38 Million) of all votes cast, marking a new record-high, and winning in all 50 districts of Bangkok.[3][4]

Powers and roles

The powers and role of the office of Governor of Bangkok in accordance with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act, BE 2528 (1985) (Thai: พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร พ.ศ. 2528 are as follows:

  • Formulate and implement policies for the Bangkok Metropolitan Area.
  • Head the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
  • Appoint and remove deputy governors, advisors, board members, city officials, and public servants.
  • Coordinate and carry out the orders of the Cabinet of Thailand, the Prime Minister of Thailand, and the Ministry of Interior.
  • Oversee the smooth running of the various agencies and services of the city.
  • The governor is also invested with the same powers as any other governor of a province of Thailand and any other mayor.
  • The power to draw up legislation and bills for the city, to be considered in the Bangkok Metropolitan Council.

History

Since 1973, the city was administered by a single executive appointed by the cabinet from city civil servants. However soon, it was determined that the executive office should a popularly elected office instead. The passage of the Bangkok Metropolis Administrative 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 four-year term.

The first election for the office was held on the 10 August 1975. Thammanoon Thien-ngern was elected as the first Governor of Bangkok. Conflicts between the governor and the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, however, became so fierce that Thanin Kraivichien, the Prime Minister of Thailand removed him and reinstated the appointment system. Elections resumed with the passing of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Act, BE 2528 (1985). Elections were held on 14 November 1985.

List of governors

No. Portrait Name
(Birth–Death)
Term of office Party Election
Took office Left office
1 Chamnan Yaovabun
ชำนาญ ยุวบูรณ์
(1914–2015)
1 January
1973
22 October
1973
Independent
2 At Visutyothaphiban
อรรถ วิสูตรโยธาภิบาล
(1915–2004)
1 November
1973
4 June
1974
Independent
3 Siri Santabutra
ศิริ สันติบุตร
(1912–2001)
5 June
1974
9 March
1975
Independent
4 Sai Hutacharoen
สาย หุตะเจริญ
5 May
1975
9 August
1975
Independent
5 Thammanoon Thien-ngern
ธรรมนูญ เทียนเงิน
(1913–1989)
10 August
1975
29 April
1977
Democrat 1975
6 Chalor Thammasiri
ชลอ ธรรมศิริ
(1927–2021)
29 April
1977
14 May
1979
Independent
7 Chaowat Sudlapa
เชาวน์วัศ สุดลาภา
(1933–2001)
4 July
1979
16 April
1981
Independent
8 Thiem Mokaranont
เทียม มกรานนท์
28 April
1981
1 November
1984
Independent
9 Asa Meksavan
อาษา เมฆสวรรค์
(born 1924)
6 November
1984
13 November
1985
Independent
10 Chamlong Srimuang
จำลอง ศรีเมือง
(born 1935)
14 November
1985
14 November
1989
Independent
(until 1988)
1985
Palang Dharma
(from 1988)
7 January
1990
22 January
1992
1990
11 Krisda Arunvongse na Ayudhya
กฤษฎา อรุณวงษ์ ณ อยุธยา
(1932–2010)
19 April
1992
18 April
1996
Palang Dharma 1992
12 Bhichit Rattakul
พิจิตต รัตตกุล
(born 1946)
2 June
1996
1 June
2000
Independent 1996
13 Samak Sundaravej
สมัคร สุนทรเวช
(1935–2009)
23 July
2000
22 July
2004
Thai Citizen
(until 2001)
2000
Independent
(from 2001)
14 Apirak Kosayodhin
อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน
(born 1961)
29 August
2004
28 August
2008
Democrat 2004
5 October
2008
19 November
2008
2008
15 Mom Rajawongse
Sukhumbhand Paribatra[5]
หม่อมราชวงศ์สุขุมพันธุ์ บริพัตร
(born 1952)
11 January
2009
9 January
2013
Democrat 2009
3 March
2013
18 October
2016
2013
16 Aswin Kwanmuang
อัศวิน ขวัญเมือง
(born 1951)
18 October
2016
24 March
2022
Independent
17 Chadchart Sittipunt
ชัชชาติ สิทธิพันธุ์
(born 1966)
22 May
2022
Incumbent Independent 2022
  • Unless otherwise indicated, they were elected.

Notes

  1. ^ Since 1975, sometimes are appointed by the Ministry of Interior or the military junta.

References

  1. ^ Mokkhasen, Sasiwan (30 October 2016). "MEET BANGKOK'S NEW GOVERNOR: ASWIN KWANMUANG". Khaosod English. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Sukhumbhand says goodbye to Bangkokians". Bangkok Post. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  3. ^ Wancharoen, Supoj (June 2022). "Chadchart receives EC's endorsement". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  4. ^ "เช็คผลเลือกตั้งผู้ว่าฯกทม. 22 พ.ค. "ชัชชาติ" ที่ 1 ตรวจคะแนนทุกเบอร์ ที่นี่!". bangkokbiznews (in Thai). 2022-05-23. Retrieved 2022-06-11.
  5. ^ "ด่วน! ใช้ม.44 ให้สุขุมพันธุ์และทีมรองฯพ้นจากตำแหน่ง ตั้งอัศวิน ขวัญเมือง เป็นผู้ว่าฯกทม". matichon. 2016-10-18. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 18 October 2016.