What is Muban?

Moo Baan (Thai: หมู่บ้าน) is the lowest administrative subdivision of Thailand. Usually translated as village, they are the subdivision of tambon. As of the census of 2000 there were 69,307 villages, including some villages in the more rural districts of Bangkok. These were however abolished in 2005. As of 1990, the average village consisted of 144 households or 746 persons.

The village is led by a village headman (Thai: Phu Yai Ban, ผู้ใหญ่บ้าน), who is elected by the population of the village and then appointed by the Ministry of the Interior. The headman has two assistants, one for Government affairs and one for Security Affairs. There also may be a Village Committee with elected members from the village, serving as an advisory body of a village. Originally the village headman once elected was in office until reaching retirement age. They now only serve for a five year term but can then apply for reelection.