Governor of Bangkok

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Governor of Bangkok
ผู้ว่าราชการ
กรุงเทพมหานคร

Seal of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Incumbent
Chadchart Sittipunt

since 22 May 2022

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Reports to| Minister of Interior
Residence| Bangkok City Hall
Appointer| Direct election[a]
Term length| Four years, renewable once consecutively
Inaugural holder| Chamnan Yaovabun
Formation| 1 January 1973
Deputy| Deputy Governor of Bangkok
Salary| ฿113,560 per month
Website| http://www.bangkok.go.th/

The governor of Bangkok (Thai: ผู้ว่าราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร, RTGS: phu 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

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

[edit]

No.  | Portrait  | Name
(Birth–Death) | Term of office  | Party  | Election

|
|
|
|
|

Took office | Left office | Time in office
1 |  | Chamnan Yaovabun
ชำนาญ ยุวบูรณ์
(1914–2015) | 1 January
1973  | 22 October
1973  | 294 days  |  | Independent  | Appointed
2 |  | At Visutyothaphiban
อรรถ วิสูตรโยธาภิบาล
(1915–2004) | 1 November
1973  | 4 June
1974  | 215 days  |  | Independent
3 |  | Siri Santabutra
ศิริ สันติบุตร
(1912–2001) | 5 June
1974  | 9 March
1975  | 278 days  |  | Independent
4 |  | Sai Hutacharoen
สาย หุตะเจริญ  | 5 May
1975  | 9 August
1975  | 96 days  |  | Independent
5 |  | Thammanoon Thien-ngern
ธรรมนูญ เทียนเงิน
(1913–1989) | 10 August
1975  | 29 April
1977  | 1 year, 253 days  |  | Democrat | 1975
6 |  | Chalor Thammasiri
ชลอ ธรรมศิริ
(1927–2021) | 29 April
1977  | 14 May
1979  | 2 years, 15 days  |  | Independent  | Appointed
7 |  | Chaowat Sudlapa
เชาวน์วัศ สุดลาภา
(1933–2001) | 4 July
1979  | 16 April
1981  | 1 year, 286 days  |  | Independent
8 |  | Thiem Mokaranont
เทียม มกรานนท์  | 28 April
1981  | 1 November
1984  | 3 years, 187 days  |  | Independent
9 |  | Asa Meksavan
อาษา เมฆสวรรค์
(born 1924) | 6 November
1984  | 13 November
1985  | 1 year, 8 days  |  | Independent
10 |  | Chamlong Srimuang
จำลอง ศรีเมือง
(born 1935) | 14 November
1985  | 22 January
1992  | 6 years, 69 days  |  | Independent[b]
(until 1988) | 1985
| Palang Dharma
(from 1988) | 1990
11 |  | Krisda Arunvongse na Ayudhya
กฤษฎา อรุณวงษ์ ณ อยุธยา
(1932–2010) | 19 April
1992  | 18 April
1996  | 3 years, 365 days  |  | Palang Dharma | 1992
12 |  | Bhichit Rattakul
พิจิตต รัตตกุล
(born 1946) | 2 June
1996  | 1 June
2000  | 3 years, 365 days  |  | Independent[c] | 1996
13 |  | Samak Sundaravej
สมัคร สุนทรเวช
(1935–2009) | 23 July
2000  | 22 July
2004  | 3 years, 365 days  |  | Thai Citizen
(until 2001) | 2000
| Independent
(from 2001)
14 |  | Apirak Kosayodhin
อภิรักษ์ โกษะโยธิน
(born 1961) | 29 August
2004  | 19 November
2008  | 4 years, 82 days  |  | Democrat | 2004
2008
15 |  | Mom Rajawongse
Sukhumbhand Paribatra[5]
หม่อมราชวงศ์สุขุมพันธุ์ บริพัตร
(born 1952) | 11 January
2009  | 18 October
2016  | 7 years, 281 days  |  | Democrat | 2009
2013
16 |  | Aswin Kwanmuang
อัศวิน ขวัญเมือง
(born 1951) | 18 October
2016  | 24 March
2022  | 5 years, 157 days  |  | Independent  | Appointed
17 |  | Chadchart Sittipunt
ชัชชาติ สิทธิพันธุ์
(born 1966) | 22 May
2022  | Incumbent  | 3 years, 73 days  |  | Independent  | 2022

* Unless otherwise indicated, they were elected.

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Since 1975, sometimes are appointed by the Ministry of Interior or the military junta.
2. ^ On behalf of the Ruam Palang Group in 1985 election.
3. ^ On behalf of the Mot Ngan Group.

## References

[edit]

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.