Bangkok Metropolitan Administration

Bangkok City Hall, BMA headquarters
Bangkok flag

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (Thai: กรุงเทพมหานคร; rtgs: Krung Thep Maha Nakhon) the local government of Bangkok (also called Krung Thep Maha Nakhon in Thai), which includes the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. The government is composed of two branches: the executive (or the Governor of Bangkok) and the legislative (or Bangkok Metropolitan Council). 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.[1]

According to the Thailand Future Foundation, Bangkok employs a workforce of 97,000, including 3,200 municipal officers in Bangkok city, 200 in the city Law Enforcement Department, and 3,000 in district offices.[2][3]

Governor of Bangkok

Governor of Bangkok
ผู้ว่าราชการ
กรุงเทพมหานคร

Seal of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Incumbent
Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang
since 18 October 2016
Term length 4 years renewable once
Inaugural holder Chamnan Yaovabun
Formation 1973
Website http://www.bangkok.go.th/

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.[4] 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."[5]

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

No. Name Term Start Term Ends Political Party
1 Chamnan Yaovabun 1 January 1973 22 October 1973 (Appointed)
2 At Visutyothaphiban 1 November 1973 4 June 1974 (Appointed)
3 Siri Santabutra 5 June 1974 9 March 1975 (Appointed)
4 Sai Hutacharoen 5 May 1975 9 August 1975 (Appointed)
5 Thammanoon Thien-ngern 10 August 1975 29 April 1977 Democrat Party
6 Chalor Thammasiri 29 April 1977 14 May 1979 (Appointed)
7 Chaowat Sudlapa 4 July 1979 16 April 1981 (Appointed)
8 Admiral Thiem Mokaranont 28 April 1981 1 November 1984 (Appointed)
9 Asa Meksavan 6 November 1984 13 November 1985 (Appointed)
10 Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang 14 November 1985 14 November 1989 Ruam Phalang Group
7 January 1990 22 January 1992 Palang Dharma Party
11 Captain Kritsada Arunwong na Ayutthaya 19 April 1992 18 April 1996 Independent
12 Bhichit Rattakul 3 June 1996 22 July 2000 Independent
13 Samak Sundaravej 23 July 2000 28 August 2004 Thai Citizens Party
14 Apirak Kosayothin 29 August 2004 28 August 2008 Democrat Party
5 October 2008 19 November 2008
15 Mom Rajawongse Sukhumbhand Paribatra 11 January 2009 9 January 2013 Democrat Party
3 March 2013 18 October 2016[6]
16 Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang 18 October 2016 Present (Appointed)

Bangkok Metropolitan Council

Bangkok Metropolitan Council
สภากรุงเทพมหานคร
Sapha Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
Type
Type
Leadership
Chairman of the Council
Capt. Kriangsak Lohachala[7]
Since 3 March 2013
Seats 57 members
Elections
Last election
 3 March 2013
Meeting place
Bangkok City Hall
Website
http://www.bangkok.go.th/sbmc

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ "General Responsibilities of BMA". Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  2. ↑ Sankam, Visarut (2015-10-31). "Research reveals ugly side to Bangkok life". The Nation. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  3. ↑ "งานแถลงผลการศึกษาเรื่อง"10 ข้อเท็จจริงชีวิตคนกรุงเทพ"". Thailand Future Foundation. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
  4. ↑ Mokkhasen, Sasiwan (30 October 2016). "MEET BANGKOK'S NEW GOVERNOR: ASWIN KWANMUANG". Khaosod English. Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  5. ↑ "Sukhumbhand says goodbye to Bangkokians". Bangkok Post. 19 October 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  6. ↑ "ด่วน! ใช้ม.44 ให้สุขุมพันธุ์และทีมรองฯพ้นจากตำแหน่ง ตั้งอัศวิน ขวัญเมือง เป็นผู้ว่าฯกทม.". matichon. 2016-10-18. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  7. ↑ "BMA council chairman". The Secretariate of Bangkok Metropolitan Council. Retrieved 18 October 2016.

External links

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