Pichai Naripthaphan

Pichai Naripthaphan (Thai: พิชัย นริพทะพันธุ์) is a Thai businessman and politician, serving as Minister of Commerce since 2024.^[1][2] Under his leadership, the Ministry has announced plans to address the influx of goods from imported from China in the Thai market.^[3]

Pichai Naripthaphan
พิชัย นริพทะพันธุ์
Minister of Commerce
In office 3 September 2024 – 30 June 2025
Prime Minister	Paetongtarn Shinawatra
Preceded by	Phumtham Wechayachai
Succeeded by	Jatuporn Buruspat
Minister of Energy
In office 9 August 2011 – 22 May 2014
Prime Minister	Yingluck Shinawatra
Preceded by	Pongsak Raktapongpaisal
Succeeded by	Worawat Ua-apinyakul
Personal details
Born	(1961-10-29) October 29, 1961 (age 63)
Political party	Pheu Thai Party (2011–present)
Spouse	Thanyathorn Naripthaphan
Alma mater	Chulalongkorn University (Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts)
Signature

Pichai was summoned by the NCPO for 10 times and was taken into the ‘attitude adjustment’ process for 8 times. He has faced a variant of intimidations, ranging from the incidents that he was taken into military camps, was blindfolded, was taken to the abandoned building as well as the incident that he was visited by the military officers at his place as an expected consequence from his comments on country’s economic situation under the rule of military government given through the press and his Facebook page which receives hundred thousand of followers.^[4]

Royal decorations

Pichai has received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:

• 2011 - Knight Grand Cross of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant
• 2009 - Knight Grand Cross of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand