Ministry of Interior (Thailand)

The ministry in its present form was founded by King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) in his reforms of the Siamese government. The ministry was founded on the 1 April 1892. He appointed his brother Prince Damrong Rajanubhab, to be its first "minister of state". At the time the ministry was divided into three divisions: the central division, the northern division, and the local administration division.
Prince Damrong reorganized the workings of the entire ministry and as a result the entire country. He created the monthon system, a complete new system of sub-divisions of the kingdom. He and the ministry took on so much power, that he was considered second only to the king. After King Vajiravudh (Rama VI) succeeded his father in 1910, the relationship between king and Prince Damrong deteriorated. In 1915 Prince Damrong resigned, officially citing health reasons, though it was an open secret that disagreements with the king were the real reason.
During the Revolution of 1932 (actually, coup d'état), the Minister of Interior was Prince Paribatra Sukhumbandhu, who was exiled after the revolution because of his power. From then on the minister became an appointed position within the Cabinet of Thailand. Most ministers had been former police officials.
==1892-present==
Category:Thailand
Category:Thai Government
Category:Ministry of Interior (Thailand)