The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( is the name given to the local government of Bangkok Province or Krung Thep Maha Nakhon, which includes the capital of the Kingdom of Thailand. The government compromises 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 regarding the management of Bangkok, these include: transport services, urban planning, waste management, housing, roads and highways, security services and the environment.

Governor of Bangkok

The Governor of Bangkok ( is the head of the local government of Bangkok Province. 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 office in the Kingdom. The office is comparable to that of a city mayor.

The current incumbent is Sukhumbhand Paribatra of the Democrat Party, he was elected in a by-election on the 11 January 2009 to replace Apirak Kosayothin, who resign after being indicted for corruption.

Powers and roles

The powers and role of the office of Governor of Bangkok in accordance with the Administration of Bangkok Province Act of 1985 ( are as follows:

• Formulate and implement policies for the Bangkok Metropolitan area.

• Is the head of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

• The power to appoint and remove: Deputy Governors, advisors, board members, city officials and servants.

• To 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 Provinces 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 civil servants of the city administration. However soon it was determined that the executive office should a popularly elected office instead. The passage of the Administration of Bangkok Province Act of 1975 (, created the Bangkok Metropolitan area to replace Bangkok Province and created an elected governor with a 4 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, however conflicts between the Governor and the Bangkok Metropolitan Council became so fierce that Tanin Kraivixien, the Prime Minister of Thailand decided to remove him and reinstated the appointed system. Elections resumed, with the passing of the Administration of Bangkok Province Act of 1985, the elections were held on the 14 November 1985.

List of Governors

• Unless otherwise indicated, they were elected.

Bangkok Metropolitan Council

The Bangkok Metropolitan Council or BMC ( 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 (. The current Chairman is Thawatchai Piyanonthaya since 2006.

The Council is made up of 57 members elected from 57 constituencies (some constituency elects more than one member) based around 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:

• Committee of the Cleanliness and Environment

• Committee for Checking the Minutes of Sittings and for Considering Closure of the Minutes of the Secret Sittings

• Committee for the Affairs of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council

• Committee for the Public Works and Utilities

• Committee for Education and Culture

• Committee for Health

• Committee for Community Development and Social Welfare

• Committee for Local Administration and Orderliness

• Committee for Economics, Finance and Follow up of Budget Utilization

• Committee for Tourism and Sports

• Committee for Traffic, Transportation and Drainage

Secretariat of the Council

The Secretariat of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council ( 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 them research aid and legal counsel. The Secretariat is headed by the Secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Council ( The current Secretary is: Manit Tej-Apichok. The Secretariat itself is divided into 9 groups:

• General Administration Group

• Council and Committee meetings Group

• Working committees Group

• Legislation Group

• Legal Group

• Foreign Relations Group

• Management of the BMC Group

• Academic Group

• Secretariat Group

Area of Administration

• Bangkok Province

• Bangkok Mass Transit System

• Bangkok Metro

See also

• Provinces of Thailand

• Bangkok gubernatorial election, 2009

• Districts of Bangkok

• History of Bangkok