This is a list of the current governors of provinces and special administrative regions of Thailand. 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]
Bangkok is a self-governing special administrative region and has directly elected its own governors since 1975. However, from 1977 to 1985, and 2014 to 2022, elections were suspended due to military junta rule whereby the governor was appointed by the Ministry of Interior.[3] The only other area that directly elects its own leader is Pattaya, a special administrative region in Bang Lamung district of Chonburi province.[4]
List
[edit]Special Administrative Regions
[edit]| Special Administrative Region | Officeholders | Party | Term | Took office | Office expires | Time in office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (list) | Chadchart Sittipunt | Independent | First | 22 May 2022[5] | 21 May 2026 | 3 years, 82 days | |
| Pattaya | Poramet Ngampichet | Rao Rak Pattaya Group | First | 22 May 2022 | 21 May 2026 | 3 years, 82 days | |
Provinces
[edit]| Province | Officeholders | Took office | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amnat Charoen | Thaweep Butpho | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Ang Thong | Verasak Vichitsangsri | 12 September 2021 | 3 years, 334 days |
| Bueng Kan | Sanit Khaosa-ard | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 315 days |
| Buriram | Thatchakorn Hatthathayakul | 1 October 2018 | 6 years, 315 days |
| Chachoengsao | Maitree Traitilanan | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Chai Nat | Rangsan Tancharoen | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Chaiyaphum | Kraisorn Kongchalard | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Chanthaburi | Suthee Thongyam | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Chiang Mai | Nirat Pongsitthaworn | 1 October 2022 | 2 years, 315 days |
| Chiang Rai | Puttipong Sirimart | 1 October 2022 | 2 years, 315 days |
| Chonburi | Thawatchai Srithong[6] | 1 October 2022 | 2 years, 315 days |
| Chumphon | Teera Anantaseriwittaya | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Kalasin | Songpol Jai-krim | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Kamphaeng Phet | Chawalit Saeng-uthai | 1 October 2018 | 6 years, 315 days |
| Kanchanaburi | Jirakiat Phumsawat | 1 October 2017 | 7 years, 315 days |
| Khon Kaen | Somsak Jangtrakul | 1 October 2017 | 7 years, 315 days |
| Krabi | Phutthiphong Sirimat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Lampang | Sithichai Jindaluang | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Lamphun | Worayut Naowarat | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Loei | Chaitawat Niemsiri | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Lopburi (list) | Niwat Rungsakorn | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Mae Hong Son | Akkawit Meepian | 26 December 2024 | 231 days |
| Maha Sarakham | Kiattisak Trongsiri | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Mukdahan | Chaloemphon Mangkhang | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Nakhon Nayok | Amphon Angkapakornkun | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Nakhon Pathom | Surasak Charoensirichot | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Nakhon Phanom | Chathip Ruchanaseri | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Wichian Chantaranothai | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Nakhon Sawan | Chayan Sirimas | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Nakhon Si Thammarat | Kraisorn Wisitwong | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Nan | Akkawit Meepian | 26 December 2024 | 3 years, 334 days |
| Narathiwat | Sanan Pongaksorn | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 334 days |
| Nong Bua Lamphu | Siwaporn Chuasawas | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Nong Khai | Monsit Phaisanthanawat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Nonthaburi | Suchin Chaichumsak | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 315 days |
| Pathum Thani | Somkid Chanthomruk | 17 November 2024 | 268 days |
| Pattani | Pateemoh Sadeeyamu | 15 November 2022 | 2 years, 270 days |
| Phang Nga | Chamroen Thipphayaphongthada | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 315 days |
| Phatthalung | Ratthasat Chitchu | 24 December 2024 | 231 days |
| Phayao | Chokdee Amornwat | 25 May 2021 | 4 years, 79 days |
| Phetchabun | Krit Kongmuang | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Phetchaburi | Pakapong Tawipat | 15 June 2020 | 5 years, 58 days |
| Phichit | Paiboon Nabutchom | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Phitsanulok | Ronnachai Chitwiset | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | Weerachai Nakmas | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Phrae | Somwang Phuangbangpho | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Phuket | Narong Woonsiew | 15 June 2020 | 5 years, 58 days |
| Prachinburi | Woraphan Suwannus | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Prachuap Khiri Khan | Vacant after the death of Niti Vivatvanich[7] | 19 December 2023 | 23 days |
| Ranong | Somkiat Sisanet | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Ratchaburi | Ronnapop Luangpairote | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Rayong | Channa Iamsaeng | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Roi Et | Phusit Somchit | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Sa Kaeo | Parinya Phothisat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Sakon Nakhon | Chureerat Thep-at | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Samut Prakan | Wanchai Kongkasem | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Samut Sakhon | Narong Rakroi | 12 September 2021 | 3 years, 334 days |
| Samut Songkhram | Charas Bunnasa | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 315 days |
| Saraburi | Manrat Rattanasukhon | 1 October 2018 | 6 years, 315 days |
| Satun | Sakra Kapilkan | 18 September 2023 | 1 year, 328 days |
| Sing Buri | Chaichan Sittiwirattham | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Sisaket | Watthana Phutthichat | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 315 days |
| Songkhla | Chotnarin Kerdsom | 17 November 2024 | 268 days |
| Sukhothai | Wirun Phandevi | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Suphan Buri | Natthapat Suwanprateep | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Surat Thani (list) | Jessada Jitrat | 1 October 2023 | 1 year, 315 days |
| Surin | Suvapong Kitiphatpiboon | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Tak | Chucheep Pongchai | 26 December 2024 | 231 days |
| Trang | Khajornsak Charoensopha | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Trat | Chamnanwit Terat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Pongrat Phiromrat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 315 days |
| Udon Thani | Siam Sirimongkol | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Uthai Thani | Khajonkiat Rakpanichmanee | 12 September 2021 | 3 years, 334 days |
| Uttaradit | Phol Damtham | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 days |
| Yala | Supot Rodruang Na Nongkhai | 29 April 2025 | 105 days |
| Yasothon | Chonlatee Yangtrong | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 315 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.
- ^ Wancharoen, Supoj (June 2022). "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.