Natthaphon Narkphanit

Natthaphon Narkphanit (Thai: ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์; born 13 February 1961) is a Thai politician and retired military officer.^[1] He was recognized for his work in national security management under the government of General Prayut Chan-o-cha in solving the problem of the spread of COVID-19 and dealing with political rallies in 2020–2021 Thai protests that affect security.^[2][3]

General Natthaphon Narkphanit
ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์
Natthaphon in 2024
Acting Minister of Defence
Incumbent
Assumed office 30 June 2025
Prime Minister	Paetongtarn Shinawatra Suriya Juangroongruangkit (acting) Phumtham Wechayachai (acting)
Preceded by	Phumtham Wechayachai
Deputy Minister of Defence
Incumbent
Assumed office 3 September 2024
Minister	Phumtham Wechayachai Himself (acting)
Preceded by	Chaichan Changmongkol
Secretary-General of the National Security Council
In office 1 October 2020 – 30 September 2021
Prime Minister	Prayut Chan-o-cha
Preceded by	Somsak Roongsita
Succeeded by	Supoj Malaniyom
Personal details
Born	(1961-02-13) 13 February 1961 (age 64) Ratchaburi, Thailand
Political party	United Thai Nation Party
Spouse	Vanida Narkphanit
Children	2
Alma mater	Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Thailand
Branch/service	Royal Thai Army
Years of service	1988–2020
Rank	General

Early life and education

Natthaphon Nakphanit was born on February 13, 1961. He graduated from the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Class 20) and then Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy (Class 31).^[4] He also studied at the Royal Thai Army Command and General Staff College and the National Defence College of Thailand.^[5]

Career

NSC Secretary-General Nattaphon (right) with US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield discussed working together on the COVID-19 response, human rights, and regional humanitarian challenges in 2021

Natthaphon previously served in the Royal Thai Army as a Commander of 2nd Infantry Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, King Bhumibol's Guard in 1988, later became a teacher at the Royal Thai Army Command and General Staff College and Royal Thai Army War College.^[6]

He was the Director of the Directorate of Operations in 2015 and became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army in 2016.^[7]

The following year he became Chief of Staff of the Army and was Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army from 2018 to 2020, then transferred to be Secretary-General of the National Security Council in 2020.^[8] He played a huge role in solving the problem of the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Thailand as Vice Chairman of the Ad hoc committee considering the relaxation of enforcement of measures to prevent and stop the spread of COVID-19 and is also the main leader in the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA).^[9][10] He is also the one who developed the role of the National Security Council to be able to deal with a wider variety of threats to the country, such as the threat from COVID-19.^[11][12]

Political career

After retiring from government service, he was appointed Advisor to the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.^[13]

In September 2023, he was appointed Secretary to the Minister of Defense Sutin Klungsang^[14] and a year later, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense in the Paetongtarn Shinawatra Government.^[15]

Honours

• 2020 – Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand^[16]
• 2014 – Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant^[17]
• 1986 – Freemen Safeguarding Medal (Second Class, Second Category)^[18]
• 1988 – Border Service Medal^[19]
• 1996 – Chakra Mala Medal^[20]