List of provincial governors in Thailand
This is a list of current governors of provinces in Thailand, along with one special administrative area (Bangkok). In all 76 provinces, the governor is appointed by the Ministry of Interior.[1] This is due to the centralised nature of Thailand's government which began during the reign of King Chulalongkorn from 1892 onwards. Chulalongkorn's centralisation also saw the replacement of local rulers, such as in Lan Na, with rulers appointed by the government. Appointed governors have sometimes been outsiders to their governing province.[2]
This is except Bangkok who, as the only special administrative area, has elected its governors since 1975. However, from 1977 to 1985, and 2014 to 2022, elections were suspended due to military junta rule and the governor was appointed by the Ministry of Interior.[3] The only other local area which elects its leader is Pattaya as it's a special governed city.[4] Pattaya is part of Chonburi province.
List[edit]
Special administrative areas[edit]
| Special administrative area | Image | Governor | Party | Election | Took office | Time in office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (list) | 
|
Chadchart Sittipunt | Independent | 2022 | 22 May 2022[5] | 1 year, 335 days | |
Provinces[edit]
| Province | Governor | Took office | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amnat Charoen | Thaweep Butpho | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Ang Thong | Verasak Vichitsangsri | 12 September 2021 | 2 years, 222 days |
| Bueng Kan | Sanit Khaosa-ard | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 203 days |
| Buriram | Thatchakorn Hatthathayakul | 1 October 2018 | 5 years, 203 days |
| Chachoengsao | Maitree Traitilanan | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Chai Nat | Rangsan Tancharoen | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Chaiyaphum | Kraisorn Kongchalard | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Chanthaburi | Suthee Thongyam | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Chiang Mai | Nirat Pongsitthaworn | 1 October 2022 | 1 year, 203 days |
| Chiang Rai | Pasakorn Boonyalak | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Chonburi | Thawatchai Srithong[6] | 1 October 2022 | 1 year, 203 days |
| Chumphon | Teera Anantaseriwittaya | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Kalasin | Songpol Jai-krim | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Kamphaeng Phet | Chawalit Saeng-uthai | 1 October 2018 | 5 years, 203 days |
| Kanchanaburi | Jirakiat Phumsawat | 1 October 2017 | 6 years, 203 days |
| Khon Kaen | Somsak Jangtrakul | 1 October 2017 | 6 years, 203 days |
| Krabi | Phutthiphong Sirimat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Lampang | Sithichai Jindaluang | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Lamphun | Worayut Naowarat | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Loei | Chaitawat Niemsiri | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Lopburi (list) | Niwat Rungsakorn | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Mae Hong Son | Vacant | ||
| Maha Sarakham | Kiattisak Trongsiri | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Mukdahan | Chaloemphon Mangkhang | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Nakhon Nayok | Amphon Angkapakornkun | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Nakhon Pathom | Surasak Charoensirichot | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Nakhon Phanom | Chathip Ruchanaseri | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Wichian Chantaranothai | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Nakhon Sawan | Chayan Sirimas | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Nakhon Si Thammarat | Kraisorn Wisitwong | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Nan | Vacant | ||
| Narathiwat | Sanan Pongaksorn | 1 Oktober 2021 | 2 years, 222 days |
| Nong Bua Lamphu | Siwaporn Chuasawas | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Nong Khai | Monsit Phaisanthanawat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Nonthaburi | Suchin Chaichumsak | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 203 days |
| Pathum Thani | Vacant After the Death of Narongsak Osotthanakorn | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Pattani | Niphan Boonluang | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Phang Nga | Chamroen Thipphayaphongthada | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 203 days |
| Phatthalung | Kukiat Wongkraphan | 1 October 2017 | 6 years, 203 days |
| Phayao | Chokdee Amornwat | 25 May 2021 | 2 years, 332 days |
| Phetchabun | Krit Kongmuang | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Phetchaburi | Pakapong Tawipat | 15 June 2020 | 3 years, 311 days |
| Phichit | Paiboon Nabutchom | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Phitsanulok | Ronnachai Chitwiset | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | Weerachai Nakmas | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Phrae | Somwang Phuangbangpho | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Phuket | Narong Woonsiew | 15 June 2020 | 3 years, 311 days |
| Prachinburi | Woraphan Suwannus | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Prachuap Khiri Khan | Vacant after the death of Niti Vivatvanich[7] | 19 December 2023 | 23 days |
| Ranong | Somkiat Sisanet | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Ratchaburi | Ronnapop Luangpairote | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Rayong | Channa Iamsaeng | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Roi Et | Phusit Somchit | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Sa Kaeo | Parinya Phothisat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Sakon Nakhon | Chureerat Thep-at | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Samut Prakan | Wanchai Kongkasem | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Samut Sakhon | Narong Rakroi | 12 September 2021 | 2 years, 222 days |
| Samut Songkhram | Charas Bunnasa | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 203 days |
| Saraburi | Manrat Rattanasukhon | 1 October 2018 | 5 years, 203 days |
| Satun | Ekkarat Leesen | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Sing Buri | Chaichan Sittiwirattham | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Sisaket | Watthana Phutthichat | 1 October 2019 | 4 years, 203 days |
| Songkhla | Jessada Jitrat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Sukhothai | Wirun Phandevi | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Suphan Buri | Natthapat Suwanprateep | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Surat Thani (list) | Witchawut Jinto | 1 October 2017 | 6 years, 203 days |
| Surin | Suvapong Kitiphatpiboon | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Tak | Vacant | ||
| Trang | Khajornsak Charoensopha | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Trat | Chamnanwit Terat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Pongrat Phiromrat | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Udon Thani | Siam Sirimongkol | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Uthai Thani | Khajonkiat Rakpanichmanee | 12 September 2021 | 2 years, 222 days |
| Uttaradit | Phol Damtham | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
| Yala | Pirom Nilthaya | 1 October 2021 | 2 years, 203 days |
| Yasothon | Chonlatee Yangtrong | 1 October 2020 | 3 years, 203 days |
References[edit]
- ^ "Bangkok's New Governor is Sending Shockwaves Through Thailand's Political Landscape". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ กองบรรณาธิการ (2018-04-30). "Why can't Thailand's provinces elect their own governors?". The Isaan Record. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ "5 decades of governor elections that have shaped modern Bangkok". www.thaipbsworld.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ "Local Personnel Administration, chapter 1/PAO, 2/Municipalities, 3/TAO, 5/City of Pattaya" (PDF). Department of Local Administration. 1999. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 22 July 2019.
- ^ "Chadchart receives EC's endorsement". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2022-06-02.
- ^ "449 police, soldiers make show of force in Pattaya". Pattaya Mail. 2022-10-14. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
- ^ "Prachuap Khiri Khan's recently appointed governor has died". Hua Hin Today English Newspaper Info, Reports, Events and News Social Life. 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-02-02.