Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Province Hall

The central administrative building of each province is the province hall (ศาลากลางจังหวัด, Sala Klang Changwat). It is often translated as town or city hall, but in real it has nothing to do with the town (thesaban) administration. Depicted is the province hall of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Located within this building is the office of the province governor, and those of the officers working in the various departments of the administration. It is also the place where the "provincial parliament" (องค์การบริหารส่วนจังหวัด, Provincial Administration Organization or short PAO) convenes. This elected body has only very limited power, mostly in budget matters, most power resides at the governor appointed by the Ministry of the Interior.

Often located directly next to the province hall is the provincial court (ศาลจังหวัด, San Changwat, sometimes also spelled ศาลาจังหวัด Sala Changwat). This is the main building for the judiciary branch.

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