Glossary of terms

Changwat (จังหวัด), the 75 provinces as the first level of subdivision. The provincial administration is led by a province governor (ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด) appointed by the Ministry of Interior (MOI) and resides in the province hall (ศาลากลางจังหวัด, Sala Klang Changwat).

Amphoe (อำเภอ), normally translated as district. Each province is divided into districts, between 3 and 31 per province and 878 altogether. The district officer (นายอำเภอ) is appointed by the MOI and resides in the district office (ที่ว่าการอำเภอ).

King Amphoe (กิ่งอำเภอ), literally branch district, recommended translation minor district. Discontinued in 2007, these were districts which were still a partial subordinate of another district, to be upgraded to a full district after some years.

Tambon (ตำบล), recommended translation subdistrict. The districts are further subdivided into subdistrict, altogether 7255. The subdistrict is led by a subdistrict headman (กำนัน, Kamnan), who is one of the village headmen elected by the citizen and installed by the MOI.

Muban (หมู่บ้าน), the lowest subdivision of the central administration. Led by a village headman (ผู้ใหญ่บ้าน, Phu Yai Ban) elected by the citizen, but who is in the line-of-command of the MOI.

Monthon (มณฑล), literally circles, an historic subdivision grouping together several provinces. Discontinued in 1932.

Khet (เขต), the districts within the special administrative area of Bangkok.

Khwaeng (แขวง), the subdistricts within the special administrative area of Bangkok. Additionally, Chiang Mai and Nonthaburi city also have a subdivision named Khwaeng.

Chumchon (ชุมชน), the subdivision of municipalities. Often, but far from always, coincides with the Muban covered by the municipality.

Sukhaphiban (สุขาภิบาล), sanitary district. A municipal level discontinued in 1999.

Thesaban (เทศบาล), municipalities. Comes in three levels - subdistrict municipality (เทศบาลตำบล, thesaban tambon), town (เทศบาลเมือง, thesaban mueang), city (เทศบาลนคร, thesaban nakhon). Has an elected council (สภาเทศบาล) and mayor (นายกเทศมนตรี).

TAO, short for Tambon Administrative Organization (องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบล), also found as SAO (Subdistrict Administrative Organization). A local government unit similar to the municipalities. Has an elected council (สภาองค์การบริหารส่วนตำบล) and mayor (นายกองค์การบริหารส่วนตำบล).

PAO, short for Provincial Administrative Organization (องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัด). A local government unit responsible for the whole province, though most of the administrative tasks are done by the central administration. Has an elected council (สภาองค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัด) and chairman (นายกองค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัด).

No comments: