The Department of Provincial Administration is one of the most important departments in the Ministry of Interior. Its tasks follow the people's Lifetime from birth until death.
During the Sukhothai Era ( B.E. 1800 - 1894 )* the paternal relationship between the King and his people was set up. Anytime a person had a complaint, he or she could ring a bell and the King would come and listen to that person and try to solve the problem. In a village (Mu-bans) there was a Pho-ban who would govern and look after the people in his own jurisdiction. Several Mu-bans were administratively combined into one Muang (Town) which was governed by Pho-Muang. Several Muangs were combined into a larger unit governed by Pho-Khun (a King).
Also, there were government officers ( Look-Khun ) whose responsibilities were to take care of the people's daily lives.
During the early era of the Ayudhaya period ( B.E. 1894 - B.E. 1993 ), the Paternalism was changed to the traditional administrative system called Jatusadom which literally means "Four Pillars" or "Four Principles". There were 4 major Departments or "Krom"
1. Krom Wiang or Muang (Home Affairs) was responsible
for the maintenance of public
safety and orders.
2. Krom Wang (Royal Affairs) took charge of royal affairs and justice.
3. Krom Khlang (Finance) took care of taxation, revenues, and expenditures.
4. Krom Na (Agriculture) looked after agricultural activities and the distribution of land and food supply.
The Department of Provincial Administration can be compared to Krom Wiang at that time.
During the reign of King Boromtrilokanat (B.E. 1992 - B.E. 2033), the duty of government officers was specifically classified into a civil section and a military section. The civil section or Samuhanayok, in charge of Krom Mahadthai, was responsible for civil administration, and the military section or Samuhagalahom who was in charge of Krom Galahom took charge of Military affairs. Wiang or Muang was later changed to Nakornban and existed until after the beginning of the Ratanakosin Era (B.E. 2325) of King Rama 1.
During the reign of King Rama V (Chulalongkorn, B.E. 2411 - 2453) the structure of government was gradually reformed. Twelve ministries were founded in B.E. 2435 to replace the Jatusadom system.
The Ministry of interior, one of those twelve ministries, was founded on April 1. B.E. 2435 and divided into three departments (Krom):
1. Krom Mahadthai (Palampang) was responsible for provincial administration,
2. Krom Mahadthai (Nhau) took charge of prevention and suppression of crime as well as foreign affairs,
3. Krom Mahadthai was responsible for the affairs excluding 1. And 2.
Krom Mahadthai (Palampang) was, therefore, the beginning of the Department of Provincial Administration whose names and organizations were altered several times as follows:
B.E. 2458 Krom Palampang, composed of Krom Pokkrong (Administration Department) and Krom Fai Nhua
B.E. 2459 Krom Palampang, composed of Provincial Administration Department and Political Affairs Division
B.E. 2460 Department of Provincial Administration, composed of Provincial Administration Division and Political Affairs Division
B.E. 2466 Krom Palampang, composed of Administrative Department and Ploitical Affairs Department
B.E. 2467 Krom Palampang, composed of Internal Affairs Department, External Affairs Department, and Registration Department
B.E. 2469 Krom Palampang, composed of Administrative Department, Registration Department, and Corrections Division
B.E. 2475 Krom Palampang, composed of Administrative Department, Political Affairs Department, Habour Department, and Corrections Division
B.E. 2476 Krom Mahadthai
B.E. 2505 - up to the present Department of Provincial Administration
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* B.E. refers to the Buddhist Era and can be conversed to A.D. by subtracting' 543 from it.
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