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Sukhumvit (Prasop Sukhum) continued to be the On June 24, 1955, the Department of
Director of the Department of the City. Chiefs of Highways’ new headquarters on Sri Ayutthaya

the Ways Section were: Road was opened. It was during the directorship
1. Luang Sathit Nimankan (Chuan of Major General Han Udomsorayut.

Sipyaphan), 1933 – 1936; In 1963, the Department of Highways,
2. Luang Uppakon Ratthawithi (Sara Saeng- Ministry of Transport was transferred to the Ministry

Xuto), Acting Chief 1936 – 1937, Chief 1938 – 1940. of National Development after the Act on Re-
From 1940, Maj. Luang Dechatiwong Organizing Ministries and Departments B.E.2506.

Warawat (M.L. Kri Dechatiwong) was the Chief On September 29, 1972, it was transferred
of the Ways Section, until August 19, 1941, the back to the Ministry of Transport after the 216th

Section was elevated into Department of Ways. It Announcement of the Revolutionary Council, Article
was also transferred from the Department of Public 33. The Department of Highways was responsible

and Municipal Works, Ministry of the Interior, to the for the construction, restoration, and maintenance
Ministry of Transport, after the promulgation of the of provincial and national highways as well as

Act on Re-Organizing Ministries and Departments motorways nationwide.
B.E.2484. Luang Dechatiwong Warawat thus At present, the Department of Highways

became Director of the new Department of Ways. consists of 34 offices, according to the Royal
After being Director from 1941 – 1943, in Decree on the Organization of the Department

March 1943 Luang Dechatiwong Warawat moved of Highways, Ministry of Transport B.E.2538,
to the Ministry of Industry, to be its Minister. Phra and the Royal Decree on the Organization of the

Phisal Sukhumvit thus took over the Director of the Department of Highways, Ministry of Transport (2nd
Department of Ways again, until 1944. Issue) B.E.2539:

During the Greater East Asia War, from 1. Office of Administrative System
December 7, 1941 – September 2, 1945, the Development

Department of Ways had moved to Phetchabun, 2. Office of Internal Auditor
especially for the construction of strategic highways 3. Office of The Secretary

from Khon Kaen to Lan Xang. After the war ended 4. Public Relations Section
in 1945, the Department was relocated back to 5. Medical and Nursing Services Section

Bangkok. 6. Finance and Accounting Division
On March 12, 1952, the Department of Ways 7. Personnel Division

was renamed Department of Highways, after the 8. Training Division
Act on Re-Organizing Ministries and Departments 9. Procurement Division

B.E.2495. Luang Phetkasem Withisawat (Thaem 10. Inter-City Motorway Division
Phetkasem) was the first Director of the new 11. Inter-City Motorway District

Department of Highways. 12. Information Technology Center

19 I 19