{{short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> {{cleanup|reason=Clean-up following 2 May 2014 additions (see talk)|date=February 2015}} {{Politics of Thailand|Thai Garuda emblem.png}}
[[Thailand]] is a [[unitary state]] in [[Southeast Asia]]. The administrative services of the executive branch of the [[Government of Thailand|government]] are regulated by the ''National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991)'' (พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการแผ่นดิน พ.ศ. 2534). Under this Act, the services are divided into three levels: central, provincial and local.<ref name = "NGO-s3">National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991), section 3.</ref>
== Central government == {{Administrative divisions of Thailand}} {{see also|Cabinet of Thailand}}
The '''central government''' (ราชการส่วนกลาง) consists of ministries, bureaus, and departments (กระทรวงทบวงกรม ''krasuang tha-buang krom'').
Each of the ministries (กระทรวง ''krasuang'') and bureaus (ทบวง ''tha-buang'') is led by a minister (รัฐมนตรี ''ratthamontri'') who is a member of the [[Cabinet of Thailand|Council of Ministers]] (คณะรัฐมนตรี ''Khana Ratthamontri'').<ref>National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991), section 18, 20, 24, 25 and 27.</ref> A bureau may be an independent agency with the same status as a ministry or may be subject to a ministry.<ref>National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991), sections 24 and 25.</ref> Currently, there are no bureaus.
The ministries and bureaus are divided into departments (กรม ''krom''), inter alia. Each department is led by a director general ({{langx|th|อธิบดี}}; {{rtgs|''athipbodi''}}).<ref>National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991), sections 31 and 32.</ref>
There is a central government agency called [[Office of the Prime Minister (Thailand)|Office of the Prime Minister]] ({{langx|th|สำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี}}; {{rtgs|''samnak nayok rattha montri''}}). It is led by the [[Prime Minister of Thailand|prime minister]] ({{langx|th|นายกรัฐมนตรี}}; {{rtgs|''nayok rattha montri''}}) and bears ministerial status.<ref>National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991), sections 7, 9 and 16.</ref>
There are also independent central government agencies. These agencies are not under any ministry, bureau, or department, but are directly subject to the prime minister.<ref>National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991), sections 7, 31, 36 and 37.</ref> They are:
* [[Bureau of the Royal Household]] ({{langx|th|สำนักพระราชวัง}}; {{rtgs|''samnak phra ratcha wang''}}) (BRH) * Office of the Royal Development Projects Boards (สำนักงานคณะกรรมการพิเศษเพื่อประสานงานโครงการอันเนื่องมาจากพระราชดำริ) (RDPB) * [[Royal Thai Police|National Police Agency]] ({{langx|th|สำนักงานตำรวจแห่งชาติ}}; {{rtgs|''samnak ngan tamruat haeng chat''}}) (NPA) * [[National Office of Buddhism]] ({{langx|th|สำนักงานพระพุทธศาสนาแห่งชาติ}}; {{rtgs|''samnak ngan phra phuttha satsana haeng chat''}}) (ONaB) * [[Royal Institute of Thailand]] ({{langx|th|ราชบัณฑิตยสถาน}}; {{rtgs|''ratcha bandittaya sathan''}}) (RIT) * Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre ({{langx|th|ศูนย์อำนวยการบริหารจังหวัดชายแดนภาคใต้}}; {{rtgs|''sun am nuai kan borihan changwat chai daen phak tai''}} ) (SBPAC)
== Provincial government == The '''provincial government''' (ราชการส่วนภูมิภาค) consists of [[Provinces of Thailand|provinces]] (จังหวัด ''changwat''). {{Asof|2018|12|31}} there were 76 provinces.<ref name="DOPA-20190220">{{cite web |title=Administrative Information |url=https://dopa.go.th/assets/modules/news/uploads/852d2fc0f232a8fee0ec153a5c5a01975c6d2b8a9acaf5210351654616977997.pdf |website=Department of Provincial Administration (DOPA) |access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>
Each province is led by a Governor (ผู้ว่าราชการจังหวัด ''phu wa ratchakan changwat'') and is divided into [[amphoe|districts]] (อำเภอ ''amphoe'').<ref>National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991), sections 51, 54 and 61.</ref> {{As of|2010}}, there were 878 districts throughout the country. In each province, there is one capital district (อำเภอเมือง ''amphoe mueang''). For example, the capital district of [[Chiang Mai Province]] is [[Mueang Chiang Mai District]] (อำเภอเมืองเชียงใหม่ ''Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai''). The exception is [[Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province]], where both the province and the [[Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya District|capital district]] share the same name.
Each district is administered by a Chief District Officer (นายอำเภอ ''nai amphoe'').<ref>National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991), section 62.</ref>
Until 2007, some provinces might include minor districts (กิ่งอำเภอ ''king amphoe''). A minor district was established in large areas where the small number of residents did not warrant the formation of a district. Each minor district was administered by an Assistant Chief District Officer (ปลัดอำเภอ ''palat amphoe'').<ref>{{cite web | title = Royal Institute Dictionary 1999 | url = http://rirs3.royin.go.th/dictionary.asp | quote = กิ่งอำเภอ (กฎ) น. ท้องที่ที่มีความจำเป็นในการปกครอง แยกมาจากอำเภอที่มีเขตท้องที่กว้างขวางแต่จำนวนประชากรไม่มาก หรือที่ที่มีชุมชนมากแต่ท้องที่ไม่กว้างขวางพอที่จะตั้งขึ้นเป็นอำเภอ มีปลัดอำเภอผู้เป็นหัวหน้าประจำกิ่งอำเภอเป็นหัวหน้าปกครอง | date = 2007 | access-date = 2014-05-02 | publisher = [[Royal Institute of Thailand]] | location = Bangkok | language = th | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090303000030/http://rirs3.royin.go.th/dictionary.asp | archive-date = 2009-03-03 }}</ref>
Governors, district chiefs, and assistant chief district officers are appointed by the central government.<ref>{{cite web|title=LOCAL PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION B.E. 2542 (1999)|url=http://www.dla.go.th/upload/enDocument/2012/6/1_1.pdf|website=Department of Local Administration (DLA)|access-date=11 December 2017}}</ref>
== Local government == '''Local government''' (ราชการส่วนท้องถิ่น) consists of two types: ordinary and special.
=== Ordinary local government === '''Ordinary local government''' (ราชการส่วนท้องถิ่นรูปแบบทั่วไป) is of two forms.
# '''Old form''' (แบบเก่า) under the ''Local Government Act, Buddhist Era 2457 (1914)'' (พระราชบัญญัติลักษณะปกครองท้องที่พุทธศักราช 2457) – Under this form, the [[tambon|subdistricts]] (ตำบล ''tambon'') are established in the districts and minor districts. Each subdistrict is led by a subdistrict chief (กำนัน ''kamnan'') and is divided into villages (หมู่บ้าน ''mu ban''). Each village is led by a village chief (ผู้ใหญ่บ้าน ''phu yai ban''; literally "village elder"). # '''New form''' (แบบใหม่) under the ''Municipalities Act, BE 2496 (1953)'' (พระราชบัญญัติเทศบาล พ.ศ. 2496), the ''Subdistrict Councils and Subdistrict Administrative Organisations Act, BE 2537 (1995)'' (พระราชบัญญัติสภาตำบลและองค์การบริหารส่วนตำบล พ.ศ. 2537), and the ''Provincial Administrative Organisations Act, BE 2540 (1997)'' (พระราชบัญญัติองค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัด พ.ศ. 2540) – The local government under this form is adopted in every province and consists of:<ref>http://www.dla.go.th/work/abt/summarize.jsp website Department of Local Administration 2015-03-09</ref> ## 2,442 [[List of cities in Thailand|municipalities]] (เทศบาล ''thetsaban'') which are divided into 30 [[thesaban nakhon|city municipalities]] (เทศบาลนคร ''thetsaban nakhon''), 179 [[thesaban mueang|town municipalities]] (เทศบาลเมือง ''thetsaban mueang'') and 2,233 [[thesaban tambon|subdistrict municipalities]] (เทศบาลตำบล ''thetsaban tambon'');<ref name="DOPA-20190220" /> ## administrative organisations (องค์การบริหาร ''ong kan borihan'') which are divided into 76 provincial administrative organisations - PAO (องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัด ''ong kan borihan suan changwat'') and 5,332 subdistrict administrative organisations - SAO (องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบล ''ong kan borihan suan tambon''), these are for the local communities, which are not connected to a thetsaban.<ref name="DOPA-20190220" />
Village chiefs are elected by local citizens.<ref>Local Government Act, Buddhist Era 2457 (1914), sections 11, 12 and 13.</ref> The chiefs of the villages in a subdistrict elect one of their number to also serve as the chief of the subdistrict.<ref>Local Government Act, Buddhist Era 2457 (1914), section 30.</ref> According to the ''Municipalities Act, BE 2496 (1953)'', when the new form of local government is adopted in any locality, the Minister of Interior may revoke the old form for that locality.<ref>Municipalities Act, BE 2496 (1953), section 4.</ref>
A city municipality is established in an area where there are at least 50,000 citizens, a town municipality, in an area where there are at least 10,000 citizens, and a subdistrict municipality, in any other area.<ref>Municipalities Act, BE 2496 (1953), sections 9, 10 and 11.</ref> The government of each municipality is divided into two branches: the executive branch led by a mayor (นายกเทศมนตรี ''nayok thetsamontri'') and the legislative branch led by a municipal council (สภาเทศบาล ''sapha thetsaban'').<ref>Municipalities Act, BE 2496 (1953), section 14.</ref> The mayors and the municipal councillors are directly elected by the local citizens.<ref>Municipalities Act, BE 2496 (1953), sections 15 and 48 bis.</ref>
As for an administrative organisation, the government is also divided into two branches: the executive branch led by an administrative organisation chief (นายกองค์การบริหาร ''nayok ong kan borihan'') and the legislative branch led by an administrative organisation council (สภาองค์การบริหาร ''sapha ong kan borihan''). The administrative organisation chiefs and councillors are directly elected by the local citizens.<ref>Subdistrict Councils and Subdistrict Administrative Organisations Act, BE 2537 (1995), sections 44, 45, and 58, Provincial Administrative Organisations Act, BE 2540 (1997), sections 7, 9 and 35.</ref>
=== Special local government === Special local government (ราชการส่วนท้องถิ่นรูปแบบพิเศษ) is established in some significant localities. Currently, this type of local government is found in:
# [[Bangkok]], called [[Bangkok Metropolitan Administration]] - BMA (กรุงเทพมหานคร ''Krung Thep Maha Nakhon'') according to the ''Bangkok Metropolis Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985)'' (พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร พ.ศ. 2528), and # [[Pattaya]], called Pattaya City (เมืองพัทยา ''Mueang Phatthaya''; literally "Pattaya Town") pursuant to the ''Pattaya City Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2542 (1999)'' (พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการเมืองพัทยา พ.ศ. 2542).
The governments of Bangkok and Pattaya are divided into two branches: executive and legislative.
'''Bangkok:''' The executive branch is led by the Governor of Bangkok (ผู้ว่าราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร ''Phu Wa Ratchakan Krung Thep Maha Nakhon'') and the legislative branch is led by the Council of Bangkok (สภากรุงเทพมหานคร ''Sapha Krung Thep Maha Nakhon''). The territory of Bangkok is divided into [[List of districts of Bangkok|districts]] (เขต ''khet'').<ref name = "BKK-s7">Bangkok Metropolis Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985), section 7.</ref> There are now 50 districts. The government of each district is also divided into two branches: the executive branch led by a district director (ผู้อำนวยการเขต ''phu amnuai kan khet'') and the legislative branch led by a district council (สภาเขต ''sapha khet'').<ref>Bangkok Metropolis Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985), sections 68 and 71.</ref> Each district is then divided into [[Khwaeng|subdistricts]] (แขวง ''khwaeng'').<ref name = "BKK-s7"/> There are now 180 subdistricts. Each subdistrict is led by a subdistrict head (หัวหน้าแขวง ''hua na khwaeng'').
The Governor of Bangkok and the Councillors of Bangkok are directly elected by the citizens of Bangkok.<ref>Bangkok Metropolis Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985), sections 9, 10 and 44.</ref> The district directors and the subdistrict heads are appointed by the Governor of Bangkok from amongst the Bangkok metropolitan officers (ข้าราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร), whilst the district councillors are directly elected by the local citizens.<ref>Bangkok Metropolis Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985), section 71.</ref>
'''Pattaya:''' The executive branch is led by the Mayor of Pattaya (นายกเมืองพัทยา ''Nayok Mueang Phatthaya'') and the legislative branch is led by the Council of Pattaya (สภาเมืองพัทยา ''Sapha Mueang Phatthaya''). The Mayor of Pattaya and the Councillors of Pattaya are directly elected by the citizens of Pattaya.<ref>Pattaya City Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2542 (1999), sections 8, 9 and 41.</ref>
There is a plan to adopt the special local government in Chiang Mai, which would turn Chiang Mai Province into Chiang Mai Metropolis (เชียงใหม่มหานคร ''Chiang Mai Maha Nakhon''). The plan was proposed to the National Assembly by the citizens of Chiang Mai in October 2013.<ref>{{cite web | script-title=th:เสนอสภา! เครือข่ายเชียงใหม่จัดการตนเองยื่นร่าง 'พ.ร.บ.เชียงใหม่มหานคร' | url = http://www.manager.co.th/local/viewnews.aspx?NewsID=9560000133979 | language = th | publisher = Manager | date = 2013-10-26 | access-date = 2014-05-02 }}</ref> However, it is regarded by the conservatives as [[separatism]].<ref>{{cite web | script-title=th:สุมิตรชัย หัตถสาร คิดการใหญ่ 'เชียงใหม่มหานคร' | url = http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/home/detail/life-style/lifestyle/20121113/477840/%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%A2-%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%96%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%8D%E0%B9%88-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%87%E0%B9%83%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%A1%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3.html | language = th | publisher = Bangkok Biz News | date = 2012-11-13 | access-date = 2014-05-02 | title = 404 }}</ref>
There is also a plan to establish Mae Sot City (นครแม่สอด ''Nakhon Mae Sot'') in [[Tak Province]]. The city would cover the current areas of Mae Sot City Municipality (เทศบาลนครแม่สอด) and Tha Sai Luat Subdistrict Municipality (เทศบาลตำบลท่าสายลวด). The plan would also result in the dissolution of both municipalities.<ref>{{cite web | script-title=th:ร่างพระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการนครแม่สอด พ.ศ. .... | url = http://radio.prd.go.th/songkhla/ewt_news.php?nid=3783&filename=90 | publisher = Public Relations Department, Office of the Prime Minister | date = 2012-03-08 | access-date = 2014-05-02 | language = th }}</ref>
== Historical subdivisions == [[File:Siam in 1900, During Rama V's Reign.jpg|thumb|Monthon in 1900<ref>{{Citation|last=Timtsunami8|title=English: An updated version of the map|date=2020-08-31|url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Map_fix.png|access-date=2021-06-21}}</ref>]] From the beginning of the 20th century until 1932 there was an additional subdivision called ''[[monthon]]'' (มณฑล, [[Circle (administrative division)|circle]]), with some of the larger monthons subdivided into ''[[boriwen]]'' (บริเวณ, area). The first provinces were named ''[[mueang]]'' (เมือง, [[township]]) as those developed from the historical city-states. There were both ''mueang'' directly dependent from Bangkok (thus similar to the modern province), as well as ''mueang'' under the supervision of a more powerful neighbouring ''mueang'', or part of the semi-independent tributary states. In 1906 the transition to the term ''changwat'' started, which was finalised in 1916.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=Royal Gazette|volume=33|issue=ก|pages=51|script-title=th:ประกาศกระทรวงมหาดไทย เรื่อง ทรงพระกรุณาโปรดเกล้า ฯ ให้เปลี่ยนคำว่าเมืองเรียกว่าจังหวัด|url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2459/A/51.PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409014441/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2459/A/51.PDF|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2008|date=28 May 1916|language=th}}</ref>
After the abolition of the ''monthon'', a new subdivision named "region" (ภาค, ''Phak'') was established. At first there were four regions with changing outlines. These were changed into nine regions in 1951. In 1956 these regions were abolished as well.
A former municipal level were the ''[[sukhaphiban]]'' (sanitation districts, สุขาภิบาล), which were mostly responsible for sanitary tasks like waste management. The administrative level was created in 1908,<ref>{{cite journal |date=13 September 1908 |title=พระราชบัญญัติ จัดการสุขาภิบาลตามหัวเมือง ร.ศ. ๑๒๗ |trans-title=Sanitation Management Act according to cities (mueang) Rama Era 127 (1908) |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2451/024/668.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927133124/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2451/024/668.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |access-date=20 March 2020 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |volume=25 |issue=24 |pages=668–673}}</ref> in May 1999 all were converted into subdistrict municipalities.<ref>{{cite journal |date=24 February 1999 |title=พระราชบัญญัติ เปลี่ยนแปลงฐานะของสุขาภิบาลเป็นเทศบาล พ.ศ. ๒๕๔๒ |trans-title=Municipal Sanitation Change Act B.E.2542 (1999) |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2542/A/009/1.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409014432/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2542/A/009/1.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 9, 2008 |access-date=20 March 2020 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |volume=116 |issue=9 Kor |pages=1–4 |postscript=, effective 25 May 1999}}</ref> Until 2007 minor districts (''[[king amphoe]]'') were a special kind of districts, still partially a subordinate of another district. Usually newly created districts at first became minor districts and were upgraded to full districts after a few years. On 24 August 2007 all 81 minor districts were upgraded to full districts, despite many still not meeting the prerequisites for becoming a full district.<ref>{{cite journal |date=24 August 2007 |title=พระราชกฤษฎีกา ตั้งอำเภอฆ้องชัย ... พ.ศ. ๒๕๕0 |trans-title=Minor districts Upgrading to Districts B.E. 2550 (2007) |url=http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2550/A/046/14.PDF |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165121/http://www.ratchakitcha.soc.go.th/DATA/PDF/2550/A/046/14.PDF |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 30, 2007 |access-date=20 March 2020 |journal=Royal Thai Government Gazette |volume=124 |issue=46 Kor |pages=14–21}}</ref><gallery mode="nolines" widths="150" heights="200"> File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1368.jpg|1368 ([[Uthong]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1390.jpg|1390 ([[Ramesuan (king of Ayutthaya)|Ramesuan]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1432.jpg|1432 ([[Borommarachathirat II]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1468.jpg|1468 [[Borommatrailokkanat|(Borommatrailokkanat]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1545.jpg|1545 ([[Chairachathirat]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1603.jpg|1603 [[Naresuan|(Sanphet II]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1680.jpg|1680 ([[Narai|Ramathibodi III]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1686.jpg|1686 [[Narai|(Ramathibodi III]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1727.jpg|1727 ([[Thai Sa|Sanphet IX]]) File:Map_of_Ayutthaya_Kingdom_in_1767.jpg|1767 ([[Ekkathat|Borommaracha III]]) File:Map_of_Thonburi_Kingdom_in_1780.jpg|1780 ([[Taksin|Borommaracha IV]]) File:Map_of_Rattanakosin_Kingdom_in_1800.jpg|1800 ([[Rama I]]) File:Map_of_Rattanakosin_Kingdom_in_1805.jpg|1805 ([[Rama I]]) File:Map_of_Rattanakosin_Kingdom_in_1824.jpg|1824 ([[Rama II]]) File:Map_of_Rattanakosin_Kingdom_in_1837.jpg|1837 ([[Rama III]]) File:Map_of_Rattanakosin_Kingdom_in_1850.jpg|1850 ([[Rama III]]) File:Map_of_Rattanakosin_Kingdom_in_1862.jpg|1862 ([[Mongkut|Rama IV]]) File:Map_of_Rattanakosin_Kingdom_in_1882.jpg|1882 ([[Chulalongkorn|Rama V]]) File:Map_of_Siamese_Kingdom_in_1890.jpg|1890 ([[Chulalongkorn|Rama V]]) File:Map_of_Siamese_Kingdom_in_1893.jpg|1893 ([[Chulalongkorn|Rama V]]) File:Map_of_Siamese_Kingdom_in_1900.jpg|1900 ([[Chulalongkorn|Rama V]]) File:Map_of_Siamese_Kingdom_in_1906.jpg|1906 ([[Chulalongkorn|Rama V]]) File:Map_of_Siamese_Kingdom_in_1908.jpg|1908 ([[Chulalongkorn|Rama V]]) File:Map_of_Siamese_Kingdom_in_1916.jpg|1916 ([[Vajiravudh|Rama VI]]) File:Map_of_Thai_Kingdom_in_1932.jpg|1932 ([[Prajadhipok|Rama VII]]) File:Map_of_Siam_Kingdom_in_1941.jpg|1941 ([[Ananda Mahidol|Rama VIII]]) File:Map_of_Thai_Kingdom_in_1945.jpg|1945 ([[Ananda Mahidol|Rama VIII]]) File:Map_of_Thailand_Kingdom_in_1946.jpg|1946 ([[Ananda Mahidol|Rama VIII]]) File:Map_of_Thai_Kingdom_in_1950.jpg|1950 ([[Bhumibol Adulyadej|Rama IX]]) File:Map_of_Thai_Kingdom_in_1973.jpg|1973 ([[Bhumibol Adulyadej|Rama IX]]) File:Map_of_Thai_Kingdom_in_2023.jpg|2023 ([[Vajiralongkorn|Rama X]]) </gallery>
== Informal subdivisions == Bangkok and its '''vicinity''' (ปริมณฑล, pari monthon), including five adjacent provinces are referred to as [[Bangkok Metropolitan Region]] ({{langx|th|กรุงเทพมหานครและปริมณฑล}}).
There are several definitions of [[Regions of Thailand|regions in Thailand]]. The one used by the [[National Statistical Office of Thailand|National Statistical Office]] defines four regions - [[Northern Thailand|north]], [[Isan|northeast]], [[Southern Thailand|south]] and [[Central Thailand|central]].
== See also == {{Commons|Atlas of Thailand}} *[[List of districts of Thailand]] *[[List of districts of Bangkok]] *[[List of tambon in Thailand]] *[[Provinces of Thailand]] *[[List of cities in Thailand]] *[[Thai addressing system]] *[[Decentralisation in Thailand]] *[[Administrative divisions of Thailand]]
== References == {{reflist|2}}
; Bibliography {{div col}} * {{cite web | script-title=th:พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการกรุงเทพมหานคร พ.ศ. 2528 |trans-title=Bangkok Metropolis Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2528 (1985) | url = http://app-thca.krisdika.go.th/Naturesig/CheckSig?whichLaw=law2&folderName=%c334&lawPath=%c334-20-9999-update | language = th | publisher = Council of State of Thailand | date = 2013-11-29 | access-date = 2014-05-02 }} * {{cite web | script-title=th:พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการแผ่นดิน พ.ศ. 2534 |trans-title=National Government Organisation Act, BE 2534 (1991) | url = http://app-thca.krisdika.go.th/Naturesig/CheckSig?whichLaw=law2&folderName=%c338&lawPath=%c338-20-9999-update | language = th | publisher = Council of State of Thailand | date = 2010-11-26 | access-date = 2014-05-02 }} * {{cite web | script-title=th:พระราชบัญญัติระเบียบบริหารราชการเมืองพัทยา พ.ศ. 2542 |trans-title=Pattaya City Administrative Organisation Act, BE 2542 (1999) | url = http://app-thca.krisdika.go.th/Naturesig/CheckSig?whichLaw=law2&folderName=%c342&lawPath=%c342-20-9999-update | language = th | publisher = Council of State of Thailand | date = 2011-08-04 | access-date = 2014-05-02 }} * {{cite web | script-title=th:พระราชบัญญัติลักษณะปกครองท้องที่ พระพุทธศักราช 2457 |trans-title=Local Government Act, Buddhist Era 2457 (1914) | url = http://app-thca.krisdika.go.th/Naturesig/CheckSig?whichLaw=law2&folderName=%c503&lawPath=%c503-20-9999-update | language = th | publisher = Council of State of Thailand | date = September 2011 | access-date = 2014-05-02 }} * {{cite web | script-title=th:พระราชบัญญัติสภาตำบลและองค์การบริหารส่วนตำบล พ.ศ. 2537 |trans-title=Subdistrict Councils and Subdistrict Administrative Organisations Act, BE 2537 (1995) | url = http://app-thca.krisdika.go.th/Naturesig/CheckSig?whichLaw=law2&folderName=%ca52&lawPath=%ca52-20-9999-update | language = th | publisher = Council of State of Thailand | date = 2013-12-12| access-date = 2014-05-02 }} * {{cite web | script-title=th:พระราชบัญญัติองค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัด พ.ศ. 2540 |trans-title=Provincial Administrative Organisations Act, BE 2540 (1997) | url = http://app-thca.krisdika.go.th/Naturesig/CheckSig?whichLaw=law2&folderName=%cd16&lawPath=%cd16-20-9999-update | language = th | publisher = Council of State of Thailand | date = 2013-11-19| access-date = 2014-05-02 }} {{div col end}}
== External links ==
* [http://tambon.blogspot.com Blog on administrative divisions of Thailand] * {{cite web | script-title=th:การกระจายอำนาจไทย: ก้าวหน้าหรือถอยหลัง |trans-title=Decentralisation in Thailand: Going Forwards or Backwards | url=http://www.midnightuniv.org/%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AB8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%B0%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%B3%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%88%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%81%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AB | publisher = [[Midnight University]] | date = 2012 | access-date = 2014-05-02 | language = th }}{{dead link|date=August 2020|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} {{Former provinces of Thailand}} {{Thailand topics}} {{Asia topic|Administrative divisions of}}
[[Category:Subdivisions of Thailand]] [[Category:Administrative divisions in Asia|Thailand]] [[Category:Administrative divisions by country|Thailand]]