Sukhumbhand Paribatra has been the Governor of Bangkok since 2009. He is a founding member of the Nam Thai Party, but soon switched over to the Democrat Party. He was elected Member of Parliament for Bangkok in 1996 and 2001. From 1997 to 2001, he served as deputy minister of foreign affairs. He chaired the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats from 2002 to 2004 and then served as the deputy secretary-general of the Democrat Party before becoming Governor. He has taught as a visiting professor at Georgetown and Columbia University.[1] Sukhumbhand was a member of the Asia Society International Council and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). He is highly decorated within the Honours System of Thailand, having received Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant.