The Ministry of Commerce is preparing to propose to the Cabinet on 5 Aug 2026 the appointment of a new Permanent Secretary of Commerce to replace Wutthikrai, who will retire on 30 Sep 2026. Poonphong, currently Director-General of the Department of Business Development, is expected to be the candidate.
On 4 Aug 2026, a reporter from the Ministry of Commerce reported that at the Cabinet meeting on 5 Aug, the Ministry will present a nomination for the new Permanent Secretary of Commerce to replace Mr. Wutthikrai Leevirapant, the current Permanent Secretary, who will retire on 30 Sep. Only one name will be proposed, chosen from two frontrunners: Ms. Oramon Sapthaveetham, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, and Mr. Poonphong Nainapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development.
It is anticipated that Mr. Poonphong will be nominated as the new Permanent Secretary due to his outstanding achievements, particularly in preventing and combating nominee directors—a key policy of the current government. He has also successfully promoted important projects that have tangibly reduced the public's living costs during the energy price crisis caused by the Middle East conflict, such as the 'Thai Help Thai' project offering affordable products, and the 'Thai Help Thai Franchise Plus' or half-half franchise program, which supports people seeking to start their own businesses by subsidizing 50% of the franchise package cost.
Ms. Oramon has numerous achievements, notably promoting and expanding recognition of Geographical Indication (GI) products, which sustainably generate income for local Thai communities. She has also advanced the use of intellectual property to create economic value and foster a creative economy, laying foundations for long-term value-added growth. Additionally, she has worked to protect intellectual property rights both domestically and internationally, preventing counterfeit goods from entering the market to safeguard consumers, and transforming intellectual property into capital. However, her accomplishments are considered less prominent compared to those of the Department of Business Development.
Regarding other positions to be proposed for Cabinet approval to replace officials retiring on 30 Sep, it is expected that Mr. Warawut Somwangprasert, Inspector General of the Ministry of Commerce, will be nominated as Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion, replacing the current Director-General, Ms. Sunanta Kangwankulkij.
If Mr. Poonphong is appointed Permanent Secretary, the Director-General position of the Department of Business Development may become vacant. Suitable candidates include Ms. Jittima Srithaporn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, and Mr. Kornit Nonjui, Inspector General of the Ministry of Commerce.
Attention is also on the Director-General position of the Department of Internal Trade, currently held by Mr. Wittayakorn Maneenet. There may be a proposal to replace him with others such as Mr. Kornit Nonjui, Ministry Spokesperson; Mr. Wathanasak Suea-iam, Chief Inspector General of the Ministry; or Lt. Chakra Yodmanee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.
Mr. Wittayakorn, who has held the position for two years, has not met the expectations of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Ms. Supachai Sutthammanoon, particularly in addressing product pricing and reducing living costs during the energy price crisis. He may be reassigned as Deputy Permanent Secretary to replace Mr. Ekachat Seetawat, who will retire on 30 Sep, or as an Inspector General of the Ministry. Subsequently, one of the six current Inspectors General may be promoted to Deputy Permanent Secretary to fill Mr. Ekachat's position.
