Pol Sub Lieutenant Kriengsak Lohachala, dubbed the “Gentleman of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)”, passed away on September 14 at the age of 83.
He is survived by his wife, their three sons and a legacy that continues to shape the Thai capital and the lives of its 11 million residents.
Kriengsak spent several decades at City Hall, working closely with Bangkok first governor, Mayor Chamnan Yuvaboon (1973), and all his successors up to MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra (2009-2016).
He was always at the forefront of operations whenever a major event or crisis occurred in the capital. His final position was as Bangkok City Clerk, aka BMA permanent secretary.
Kriengsak is also remembered for the crucial role he played in resolving conflicts, including the protest against converting a golf course into Vachirabenjatas (Rot Fai) public park. The park now serves millions of Bangkokians.
He is credited with improving Bangkok residents’ access to public services by handling issues with composure and exceptional interpersonal skills.
Making history
After retiring from the BMA in 2014, Kriengsak was appointed as chair of the Bangkok City Council under the jurisdiction of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) junta.
He was reportedly handed the position in recognition of his extensive knowledge and experience. He was re-elected in 2016 in a majority vote by Bangkok councillors.
In 2018, he made history again by becoming the first person to win a third term as Bangkok City Council chairman.
This time, he won unanimous support from Bangkok councillors. Their trust was borne of his solid understanding of the capital and unwavering aspiration to improve the council’s performance to create a better Bangkok.
Kriengsak was also renowned for his political acumen, knowledge of protocol, and connections.
He also held several prominent positions outside the BMA, chairing the Mass Rapid Transit Authority, A Plus Entertainment, Rajamangala University of Technology Tawan-ok, the Children's Discovery Museum (Bangkok), and Rocktech Global Public Co Ltd. He also served as managing director of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand.
Family & education
Born on October 1, 1941, Kriengsak was the son of Pol General Chumpol Lohachala, a former deputy interior minister and deputy police chief whose tenure was marred by the Thammasat massacre on October 6, 1976.
Kriengsak studied at Bangkok Christian College and then Thammasat University, earning a bachelor’s degree in law before pursuing a master’s in public administration in the United States.
He began his career in the Special Branch Bureau (1958-1969), and later headed several district offices in Bangkok (1970-1979), including Khlong San, Bang Rak and Dusit.
Between 1979 and 1980, he doubled as spokesman for the BMA.
In 1981, he became deputy director of the BMA’s Social Welfare Department and secretary to then-Bangkok governor.
From 1986 to 1990, he was placed in charge of BMA’s press conferences, before being made deputy permanent-secretary for Bangkok from October 1, 1990.
He was promoted to the highest non-elected post at the BMA on October 1, 2000, with his tenure ending on September 30, 2002.
In 2001, Kriengsak was honoured as an outstanding father. His wife, Boonrub Lohachala, and their three sons looked after him diligently after he suffered a stroke in 2019, which prompted him to finally quit the Bangkok City Council in 2020.
The beloved father, husband and BMA’s “gentleman” is being bid a final farewell at Bangkok’s Wat That Thong, with his royal-sponsored cremation scheduled for September 23.
His contributions to Bangkok and his enduring legacy will be remembered for many years to come.
