The village headman (phu yai baan) is locally elected.
He is responsible for activities concerning order and regulations.
He is semi-official responsible directly to the district office.
His salary comes from the government and his duty is to transfer and interpret government messages to villagers.
At the same time, he is the representative of the village in dealing with outsiders and government officials.
He thus actually has been caught in the middle between being a lowest rank government official and a village head man responsible for village interests.
A successful village headman must perform both of his roles effectively.
He must serve both government demands as well as that of his village people.
his power and authority is derived from government official so long as he is accepted by his village fellows.