Bangkok Metropolitan Administration 76 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration 77 THE BANGKOK METROPOLITAN ADMINISTRATION “Bangkok” or “Krung Thep Maha In 1972, National Executive Council Nakhon” was established as the Order Number 335 reorganized the capital city of Thailand in 1782, the form of local government in the year King Rama I ascended the metropolis by amalgamating the throne. During the reign of King Rama activities of the Metropolis of Krung SYMBOL OF SERVICE V, the territorial administration of the Thep and Thon Buri, The Krung country was reformed between 1894- Thep and Thon Buri Provincial 1906 into a number of areas called Administrations, the Metropolitan City “Monthon”. Bangkok was in Monthon Municipality and Sanitation Administration The emblem of the BMA represents a Krung Thep, which was under the into the “Bangkok Metropolitan fi gure from Thai mythology, Phra Indra, Ministry of Urban Affairs. Administration (BMA).” the keeper of Amara-wadee, carrying his three-bladed weapon and seated atop a In 1922, the Ministry of Urban Affairs In December 1981, the Bangkok white elephant, whose four ivory tusks was merged with the Ministry of Metropolitan Administration Act denote celestial status. The emblem Interior. The administration of Bangkok, 1975 was amended. The amendment symbolizes that the Governor of Bangkok, under a modifi ed Monthon system, stipulated that Governor and Deputy like Phra Indra, heads the capital and was carried on until 1932. Governors of the BMA should be provides leadership to further the appointed by the Minister of Interior welfare of the city’s residents. In 1933, two Acts were legislated and until the new Act of the BMA came affected the administration of Bangkok: into effect. On the 31st of August 1985, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Metropolitan Bangkok The BMA emblem was fi rst used during The Thai Administration Act and the the new Act of the BMA came into the term of offi ce of Bangkok’s fi rst Municipal Government Act. Under effect. According to the Act, the Governor, General, Chao Phraya Ramarakop these acts, Bangkok became a province Governor is elected by popular vote (1937-1938). call Krung Thep province. and four Deputy Governors are appointed by the Governor for a four- The BMA emblem can be seen on BMA On the 21st December 1971, National year term. The Bangkok Metropolitan vehicles, at the site of public works and Executive Council Order Number 24 Council comprises elected members. improvement programs, and wherever it was proclaimed which merged Krung The number Council members depends is serving the public through numerous Thep province and Thon Buri province on the population of Bangkok. At the and varied activities. It is Bangkok’s into a single province called the District level, District Council is also ‘Symbol of Service’. “Krung Thep and Thon Buri Metropolis. “ elected and its members will be at least 7 depending on population in the At the same time, National Executive District. The Bangkok Metropolitan Council Order Number 25 merged the Council and District Council, each has Bangkok Municipality and The Thon a four-year term. Buri Municipality into the “Metropolitan City Municipality.” Giant Swing : The red teak arch landmark in front of Bangkok City Hall 78 A new comprehensive plan for Bangkok took effect on The BMA is using the “Healthy City” development Factories to be established in the suburbs must be May 17, 2006 one day after the ministerial regulation framework, set by the World Health Organization environmentally friendly and more green areas have on the plan was announced in the Royal Gazette. (WHO), as a guideline for upgrading Bangkok into been designated to control pollution. The new city plan, in use from 2006 to 2011, is a road one of the world’s most livable cities. map to turn the capital of Thailand into a more livable Traffic management and a re-zoning of land city. “Rattanakosin Island” in the heart of Bangkok will designated as fl ood prevention areas have also continue to be the main area for preservation. been taken into consideration, as well as enlarging Although this city plan covers fi ve years, it includes green areas to ensure environmental protection and programs to cope with the growing population in The area between Ratchadaphisek and Kanchanaphisek public safety. Bangkok over the next 20 years, which is exapected ring roads has been designated for commercial and to reach 12.5 million. The new city plan will help residential zoning. Dozens of new parks are to be laid out across the control land use so that land utilization in the capital city to increase the green-area-per-head rate to will become more effi cient. The outer part of Kanchanaphisek Ring Road will be 2.5 square meters per person, from the existing one developed into a community center in the suburbs to square meter per person. Apart from the vision to turn Bangkok into a livable reduce congestion in the city. In the new city plan, city, the new plan also aims to develop the capital three transportation centers will be developed. They as an economic center in Southeast Asia and as a are Phahonyothin, Makkasan, and Taksin centers. city of culture. BMA WORKING TOWARDS A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE New Bangkok City Plan of 2006-2011 to Turn the Capital into a More Livable City 79 Organization The existing institutional organization of the BMA is divided into 3 offi ces, Services Commission of the BMA. The 16 Departments are responsible respectively 16 departments and 50 district offi ces (see organization chart). The 3 offi ces act for their duties assigned to them by laws whereas the District Offi ce also respectively as the secretary to the Governor, the BMA Council and the Civil provides services related to the city’s mentioned functions at the district level. 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Producing and distributing media to the public through documentaries, radio, newsletters, exhibits, posters, brochures, cassettes and campaigns. Bike Lane and Bicycle Usage Promotion Project This project is designed to mitigate traffi c problems by promoting the use of bicycles as alternative means of transportation, which will also save energy, reduce pollution, and decrease traveling costs. Currently, there are 25 bicycle routes and some Traffi c Management Area Traffi c Control (ATC) Project bicycle parking lots are located by pedestrian crossing bridges and roads to increase the convenience of Traffi c Management: The Chaturatit Project Area Traffi c Control (ATC), or Urban Traffi c Control bicyclists, and will be free of charge. (UTC), is the computer system used to check the Alleviating traffi c congestion across the Chao Phraya working condition of traffi c equipment and traf- BTS Extension River is one of a series of missions undertaken by the fi c timing signals at junctions in designated areas, BMA at the behest of the king, who advised that all refl ecting real-time traffi c conditions. The cabinet approved extensions of the BTS system concerned government agencies should join hands on September 23, 1999. The three extensions are as in solving traffi c problems in Bangkok by constructing Phase 1: Completed and covers 31 sq. km. in inner follows: roads, bridges, and making connections to all other Bangkok small projects linking in four directions. Phase 2: Work-in-progress and covers 150 sq. km. a.) The Silom line extension, which starts from Taksin in mid Bangkok Bridge across the Chao Prhraya River to Wongwian One part of the Chaturatit project involved construction Yai, a distance of 2.2 km. This extension, managed by of a signature cable-stayed bridge across the river, Traffi c Discipline and Public Spirit Promotion the BMA, will help support the mass transit needs alleviating some of the worst bottlenecks in central Project of people in the western parts of the city, providing and western Bangkok. The new bridge, named after further transportation convenience and helping to King Rama VIII, connects with the royally initiated The Traffi c Discipline and Public Spirit Promotion alleviate traffi c congestion. Borom Ratchonnani vertical parallel elevated road. Project is designed to solve long-term traffi c problems The signifi cance of the components of the Chaturatit by promoting traffi c discipline and public spirit on the b.) The Sukhumvit line extension, which starts from Project was the implementation of a “systematic road by: Sukhumvit 81 to Sam Rong, a distance of 8.5 km. network” that is not limited to traffi c management in one specifi c area, but rather contributes to 1.