Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Governor of Bangkok

The Governor of Bangkok (Thai: ผู้ว่าราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร) 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.

The current incumbent is Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang. 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."

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, literally Bangkok Metropolis Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985)) are as follows:

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. Thamnoon Thien-ngern was elected the first elected Governor of Bangkok. Conflicts between the governor and the Bangkok Metropolitan Council, however, became so fierce that Tanin Kraivixien, 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

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 constituencies elect more than one member) in Bangkok. They are elected to a four-year term. The last election was held on 30 April 2006.

Committees

The Council is divided into 11 general committees with 5-9 members appointed by the councillors themselves:

1. Committee of Cleanliness and Environment
2. Committee for Checking the Minutes of Sittings and for Considering Closure of the Minutes of the Secret Sittings
3. Committee for the Affairs of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council
4. Committee for the Public Works and Utilities
5. Committee for Education and Culture
6. Committee for Health
7. Committee for Community Development and Social Welfare
8. Committee for Local Administration and Orderliness
9. Committee for Economics, Finance, and Follow-up of Budget Utilization
10. Committee for Tourism and Sports
11. Committee for Traffic, Transportation, and Drainage

Secretariat of the council

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 research 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 nine sections:

1. General Administration Section
2. Council and Committee Meetings Section
3. Working Committees Section
4. Legislation Section
5. Legal Section
6. Foreign Affairs Section
7. Council Service Section
8. Academic Section
9. Secretary Section

Areas of administration