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. 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.
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. The only other local area which elects its leader is Pattaya as it's a special governed city. Pattaya is part of Chonburi province.
List
Special administrative areas
| Special administrative area | Image | Governor | Party | Election | Took office | Time in office | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok (list) | 
|
Chadchart Sittipunt | Independent | 2022 | 22 May 2022 | 2 years, 239 days | |
Provinces
| Province | Governor | Took office | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amnat Charoen | Thaweep Butpho | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Ang Thong | Verasak Vichitsangsri | 12 September 2021 | 3 years, 126 days |
| Bueng Kan | Sanit Khaosa-ard | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 107 days |
| Buriram | Thatchakorn Hatthathayakul | 1 October 2018 | 6 years, 107 days |
| Chachoengsao | Maitree Traitilanan | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Chai Nat | Rangsan Tancharoen | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Chaiyaphum | Kraisorn Kongchalard | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Chanthaburi | Suthee Thongyam | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Chiang Mai | Nirat Pongsitthaworn | 1 October 2022 | 2 years, 107 days |
| Chiang Rai | Puttipong Sirimart | 1 October 2022 | 2 years, 107 days |
| Chonburi | Thawatchai Srithong | 1 October 2022 | 2 years, 107 days |
| Chumphon | Teera Anantaseriwittaya | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Kalasin | Songpol Jai-krim | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Kamphaeng Phet | Chawalit Saeng-uthai | 1 October 2018 | 6 years, 107 days |
| Kanchanaburi | Jirakiat Phumsawat | 1 October 2017 | 7 years, 107 days |
| Khon Kaen | Somsak Jangtrakul | 1 October 2017 | 7 years, 107 days |
| Krabi | Phutthiphong Sirimat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Lampang | Sithichai Jindaluang | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Lamphun | Worayut Naowarat | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Loei | Chaitawat Niemsiri | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Lopburi (list) | Niwat Rungsakorn | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Mae Hong Son | Vacant | ||
| Maha Sarakham | Kiattisak Trongsiri | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Mukdahan | Chaloemphon Mangkhang | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Nakhon Nayok | Amphon Angkapakornkun | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Nakhon Pathom | Surasak Charoensirichot | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Nakhon Phanom | Chathip Ruchanaseri | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Nakhon Ratchasima | Wichian Chantaranothai | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Nakhon Sawan | Chayan Sirimas | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Nakhon Si Thammarat | Kraisorn Wisitwong | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Nan | Vacant | ||
| Narathiwat | Sanan Pongaksorn | 1 Oktober 2021 | 3 years, 126 days |
| Nong Bua Lamphu | Siwaporn Chuasawas | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Nong Khai | Monsit Phaisanthanawat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Nonthaburi | Suchin Chaichumsak | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 107 days |
| Pathum Thani | Vacant After the Death of Narongsak Osotthanakorn | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Pattani | Niphan Boonluang | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Phang Nga | Chamroen Thipphayaphongthada | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 107 days |
| Phatthalung | Kukiat Wongkraphan | 1 October 2017 | 7 years, 107 days |
| Phayao | Chokdee Amornwat | 25 May 2021 | 3 years, 236 days |
| Phetchabun | Krit Kongmuang | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Phetchaburi | Pakapong Tawipat | 15 June 2020 | 4 years, 215 days |
| Phichit | Paiboon Nabutchom | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Phitsanulok | Ronnachai Chitwiset | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya | Weerachai Nakmas | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Phrae | Somwang Phuangbangpho | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Phuket | Narong Woonsiew | 15 June 2020 | 4 years, 215 days |
| Prachinburi | Woraphan Suwannus | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Prachuap Khiri Khan | Vacant after the death of Niti Vivatvanich | 19 December 2023 | 23 days |
| Ranong | Somkiat Sisanet | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Ratchaburi | Ronnapop Luangpairote | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Rayong | Channa Iamsaeng | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Roi Et | Phusit Somchit | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Sa Kaeo | Parinya Phothisat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Sakon Nakhon | Chureerat Thep-at | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Samut Prakan | Wanchai Kongkasem | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Samut Sakhon | Narong Rakroi | 12 September 2021 | 3 years, 126 days |
| Samut Songkhram | Charas Bunnasa | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 107 days |
| Saraburi | Manrat Rattanasukhon | 1 October 2018 | 6 years, 107 days |
| Satun | Ekkarat Leesen | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Sing Buri | Chaichan Sittiwirattham | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Sisaket | Watthana Phutthichat | 1 October 2019 | 5 years, 107 days |
| Songkhla | Jessada Jitrat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Sukhothai | Wirun Phandevi | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Suphan Buri | Natthapat Suwanprateep | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Surat Thani (list) | Witchawut Jinto | 1 October 2017 | 7 years, 107 days |
| Surin | Suvapong Kitiphatpiboon | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Tak | Vacant | ||
| Trang | Khajornsak Charoensopha | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Trat | Chamnanwit Terat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Ubon Ratchathani | Pongrat Phiromrat | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Udon Thani | Siam Sirimongkol | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Uthai Thani | Khajonkiat Rakpanichmanee | 12 September 2021 | 3 years, 126 days |
| Uttaradit | Phol Damtham | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
| Yala | Pirom Nilthaya | 1 October 2021 | 3 years, 107 days |
| Yasothon | Chonlatee Yangtrong | 1 October 2020 | 4 years, 107 days |
References
- "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.