30-Day Deadline for Metropolis Policy: Chiang Mai-Phuket Direct Elections Proposed

MGR Online•Politics•20d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand considers establishing "Metropolises" in Chiang Mai and Phuket with direct elections for governors and councils, aiming for enhanced local administration and revenue generation.

•The Prime Minister's Office has given a 30-day deadline to review proposals for establishing special administrative forms for Chiang Mai and Phuket.
•The proposals include direct elections for governors and metropolis councils, along with increased local revenue collection powers.
•This initiative is driven by the Bhumjai Thai Party's policy to decentralize power and develop high-potential cities into "Metropolises."

Overview

•On June 29, 2026, the Prime Minister's Office issued a letter regarding the establishment of Chiang Mai and Phuket Metropolises.
•A proposal has been submitted to the Cabinet for review within 30 days, aiming to elevate Chiang Mai and Phuket to "Metropolises."
•The government aims to support areas with high readiness and potential by upgrading their administrative structure to a "special administrative form" or "Metropolis."
•The Senate's local government committee proposed a "big data" approach for two metropolises, suggesting divided administrative areas and direct elections.
•The Ministry of Interior is designated as the primary agency for establishing "Phuket Metropolis," while the PM's Office and NESDC will handle "Chiang Mai Metropolis."
•The current administrative structure is deemed insufficient to support the complexity and potential of Chiang Mai and Phuket, necessitating new forms of self-governance.
•Phuket generated approximately 497,523 million THB in tourism revenue in 2024, attracting 11-12 million visitors, highlighting its economic significance.
•Recommendations from the Senate's committee propose a two-tier administrative system for the proposed Metropolises, with directly elected governors and councils.

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Key Quotes

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"The Bhumjai Thai Party government aims to upgrade areas with high readiness and potential to a "special administrative form" or "Metropolis.""

รัฐบาลพรรคภูมิใจไทย ที่ตั้งเป้าโดยสนับสนุนให้พื้นที่ที่มีความพร้อมและศักยภาพสูง ยกระดับโครงสร้างการบริหารจัดการเป็น "การปกครองรูปแบบพิเศษ" หรือ "มหานคร"

N/A

"Opinions and an overall conclusion will be compiled for the Cabinet within the set 30-day timeframe."

มีการจัดทำข้อคิดเห็น และบทสรุปผลการพิจารณาในภาพรวม เพื่อนำเสนอคณะรัฐมนตรี (ครม.) ภายในกรอบระยะเวลาที่กำหนด 30 วัน

N/A

"To ensure agility in self-management, revenue collection, and public services that truly meet area needs."

เพื่อให้เกิดความคล่องตัวในการบริหารจัดการตนเอง การจัดเก็บรายได้ และการจัดบริการสาธารณะที่ตอบโจทย์ความต้องการของพื้นที่อย่างแท้จริง

Key Entities

Organization

Office of the Prime Minister(สำนักนายกฯ)ℹ️

The government agency setting deadlines and coordinating policy implementation.

Cabinet(ครม.)ℹ️

The government body responsible for reviewing and approving policy proposals.

Bhumjai Thai Party(ภูมิใจไทย)ℹ️

The political party whose policy is driving the "Metropolis" initiative.

Local Government Committee of the Senate(กมธ.ท้องถิ่น วุฒิสภา)

The Senate committee that proposed the "Metropolis" concept and direct election mechanisms.

PM's Secretariat(สปน.)ℹ️

An organization involved in establishing the "Chiang Mai Metropolis" and researching policy feasibility.

NESDC(สภาพัฒน์)ℹ️

The National Economic and Social Development Council, involved in data preparation for "Chiang Mai Metropolis." (Acronym interpreted as สภาพัฒพัฒนาการเศรษฐกิจและสังคมแห่งชาติ)

Ministry of Interior(กระทรวงมหาดไทย)ℹ️

The ministry responsible for studying and establishing "Phuket Metropolis."

Office of the Committee for the Decentralization to Local Government Authorities(สำนักงานคณะกรรมการการกระจายอำนาจให้แก่องค์กรปกครองส่วนท้องถิ่น)

The committee overseeing the decentralization process and the establishment of special administrative forms.

Metropolis Council(สภามหานคร)

A proposed directly elected legislative body for the "Metropolis" administrative structure.

Place

Chiang Mai-Phuket(เชียงใหม่-ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

The two provinces proposed to be elevated to "Metropolis" status with special administrative forms.

Person

Mr. Songsak Thongsri(นายทรงศักดิ์ ทองศรี)

The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister who assigned the PM's Office and relevant agencies to study the Metropolis proposals.

Mrs. Chuencheeawan Limteerakul(นางชื่นชีวัน ลิมป์ธีระกุล)

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office, chairing the meeting on establishing Chiang Mai and Phuket Metropolises.

Position

Metropolis Governor(ผู้ว่าราชการมหานคร)

A proposed directly elected official to lead the "Metropolis" administrative structure.

Timeline

June 29, 2026(29 มิถุนายน 2026)

The date of the letter from the Prime Minister's Office instructing the Ministry of Interior to lead the review of the Metropolis proposal.

July 7, 2026(7 ก.ค. 2026)

The date of the report from the Government House regarding progress on the "Metropolis" policy.

2024

The year Phuket reportedly achieved record tourism revenue.

Law

Draft Act on the Governmental Administration of Chiang Mai Metropolis B.E. ...(ร่างพระราชบัญญัติ (พ.ร.บ.) ระเบียบบริหารราชการเชียงใหม่มหานคร พ.ศ. ...)

The proposed legislation for the administrative structure of Chiang Mai Metropolis.

Draft Act on the Governmental Administration of Phuket Metropolis B.E. ....(ร่างพระราชบัญญัติ (พ.ร.บ.) ระเบียบบริหารราชการภูเก็ตมหานคร พ.ศ. ....)

The proposed legislation for the administrative structure of Phuket Metropolis.