Municipal changes announced

Yesterday, another two municipal changes were announced in the Royal Gazette.

• Chao Phraya Surasak (เทศบาลนครเจ้าพระยาสุรศักดิ์) in Chonburi province was upgraded from a subdistrict municipality (Thesaban Tambon) to a city (Thesaban Nakhon). In March, the boundary of the municipality with the TAO Nong Khem was defined, and thanks to the comment of a reader I learned that this was done in preparation of upgrading the municipality. In the same month the upgrade was approved by the Board to consider draft laws, and the Royal Gazette announcement was then signed in April and became effective May 1st.
• Hua Khwang subdistrict municipality (เทศบาลตำบลหัวขวาง) in Maha Sarakham was renamed to Kosum Phisai (เทศบาลตำบลโกสุมพิสัย) effective July 9 [Gazette]. he municipality is located in the central part of Kosum Phisai district and includes the district office within its area, so the new name makes sense. It also allows to upgrade the TAO Hua Khwang (องค์การบริหารส่วนตำบลหัวขวาง) covering the remaining part of the subdistrict Hua Khwang to a municipality, then no new name has to be created. However that probably won't happen soon, as just last October a new mayor and council were elected, and normally the TAO are upgraded at the end of the four year terms. Interestingly, it seems the name change was not approved by the Board to consider name changes - unlike other name changes, no meeting reference was given in either the announcement nor in the meeting transcript of the board to consider draft laws.