Bangkok

Administration

Bangkok is one of two special administrative areas in Thailand (along with Pattaya) in which citizens vote to choose their Governor, unlike in Thailand's 75 other provinces (changwat).

Bangkok metropolitan area extends beyond the borders of Bangkok province, spilling into the neighbouring provinces of Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan, and Samut Sakhon.

The seal of the city shows the god Indra riding in the clouds on Erawan, a mythological elephant-shaped creature (sometimes portrayed with three heads). In his hand Indra holds his three-bladed weapon, Vajra ("thunder-mader"), which is his weapon to drive away drought. The seal is based upon a painting done by Prince Naris.

Bangkok is subdivided into 50 districts (khet, also sometimes called amphoe as in the other provinces), which are further subdivided into 154 kwaeng, equivalent to tambon in other provinces.