Thailand - Local government

Thailand is divided into 76 administrative provinces ( changwats ), each under the control of an appointed governor responsible to the Ministry of the Interior. Bangkok is sub-divided into 37 districts or "khets." As of 2001, in addition to the provinces, there were 795 districts, 81 minor districts, 7,255 subdistricts or tambon and 70,865 villages. Numerous changes went into effect with the promulgation of the new constitution in 1997. Effectively immediately, all local administrators must now be elected directly by popular suffrage or by the approval of a local assembly. Furthermore, local government officials are prohibited from holding a permanent national position or receiving additional compensation from government related positions.