Provincial Administrative
Organization (PAO)
•The structure of a Provincial Administrative Organization is similar to that of a municipality.
•The organization comprises an elected provincial council that functions as a legislative branch and an executive board.
•Until 1997 the provincial governor was by law the chief executive of a PAO.
•The amendment of the Provincial Administrative Organization Act in 1997 allows a chief executive to be elected by the councilors.
•There are 76 councils in the country and thus 76 provincial administrative organizations. (Bangkok is not included)
•The Provincial Administrative Organization represents all rural areas of a province.