ABSTRACT
Thailand can be divided into four primary regions on the basis of geography—the Central Plain, the North, the Northeast, and the South. Administratively, Thailand is subdivided into 72 changwats (provinces). Changwats are administered by governors who are civil servants appointed by the Ministry of the Interior. Beneath the changwat are 578 amphoes (district). Beneath the amphoes are 5,138 tambons (a group of villages). Tambons are administered by chiefs elected by the village headmen. Below the tambon is the muban (village) headed by an elected puyaiban (village headman). Most agricultural statistical collection is carried out at the village level under the supervision of the puyaiban.
