At the Cabinet meeting on 5 August, Poonphong Nainapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, was appointed as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, replacing Wutikrai Leewirapant, who is set to retire this year.
5 August 2026 GMT+7 Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce revealed that the Cabinet approved the appointment of a civil servant from the Ministry of Commerce to a senior executive position, replacing the current Permanent Secretary who is retiring. They appointed Mr. Poonphong Nainapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, as the new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce. He replaces Mr. Wutikrai Leewirapant, the current Permanent Secretary, who will retire on 30 September 2026. The appointment takes effect from the date of royal endorsement.
Mr. Poonphong Nainapakorn currently serves as Director-General of the Department of Business Development. His key previous roles include Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Inspector General of the Ministry, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Business Development, and positions at provincial commerce offices in Chonburi, Pathum Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Samut Sakhon, totaling over 18 years of experience.
Mr. Poonphong has been a key figure in proposing projects to assist the public during economic crises, particularly efforts to reduce living costs by promoting the 'Thai Help Thai' project to lower prices of essential consumer goods. This initiative was later incorporated into the government's main policy framework.
He has also addressed the longstanding issue of nominees by establishing systems to prevent nominee registrations of legal entities and collaborating with relevant agencies in enforcement. The Ministry of Commerce believes that this new appointment will ensure continuity in administration and effectively advance the Ministry's mission, benefiting the public, businesses, and the national economy overall.