Itthiphol Khunpluem ( th, อิทธิพล คุณปลื้ม; born 15 December 1973) is a Thai politician. he serves as

Minister of Culture A culture minister or a heritage minister is a common cabinet position in governments. The culture minister is typically responsible for cultural policy, which often includes arts policy (direct and indirect support to artists and arts organizati ...

in the second cabinet of Prime Minister

Prayut Chan-o-cha Prayut Chan-o-cha (sometimes spelled Prayuth Chan-ocha; th, ประยุทธ์ จันทร์โอชา, ; born 21 March 1954) is a Thai politician and retired Royal Thai Army, army officer who has served as the Prime Minister of T ...

Early life and education

Itthiphol is the son of

Somchai Khunpluem Somchai Khunpluem, alternatively spelled Kunplome ( th, สมชาย คุณปลื้ม; 30 September 1937 – 17 June 2019), was a Thai politician, businessman and organized crime boss. He was also known by the nickname ''"Kamnan Poh"'' ( ...

("Kamnan Poh") and Satil Khunpluem. He graduated from

Assumption College Sriracha Assumption College Sriracha (ACS) is a private, Catholic-run school on the Eastern Seaboard of Thailand, in Si Racha District, Chonburi Province. The campus covers , and has play spaces, football pitches, a swimming pool, and a sports stadium. ...

and high school from Suankularb Wittayalai School. He graduated with a bachelor's degree Bachelor of Laws from the Faculty of Law,

Chulalongkorn University Chulalongkorn University (CU, th, จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย, ), nicknamed Chula ( th, จุฬาฯ), is a public and autonomous research university in Bangkok, Thailand. The university was originally fo ...

and master's degree Master of Laws from

Golden Gate University Golden Gate University (GGU or Golden Gate) is a private university in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1901, GGU specializes in educating professionals through its schools of law, business, taxation, and accounting. The university offers s ...

, USA.

Political careers

Itthiphol was a member of the House of Representatives of Chon Buri Province for 2 terms from 2001 until 2008, having served as an advisor to several ministries such as the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Ministry of Tourism and Sports. Later, he turned to work in local politics by running for election as mayor of

Pattaya City Pattaya ( th, พัทยา, , ) is a city in Thailand. It is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about southeast of Bangkok, within, but not part of, Bang Lamung district in the province of Chonburi. Pattaya City ( th, เมื� ...

and was elected for 2 terms. In 2018, he joined the

Palang Pracharath Party Palang Pracharath Party ( th, พรรคพลังประชารัฐ, ; ) is a Thai civil-military political party with ties to the National Council for Peace and Order, the military junta that ruled the country after the 2014 coup. It ...

and ran for election in the

Chonburi Chonburi ( th, ชลบุรี, , IAST: , ) is the capital of Chonburi Province and Mueang Chonburi District in Thailand. It is about 100 km southeast of Bangkok, on the coast of the Gulf of Thailand. Its name means 'city of water'. Chonb ...

area in the general election of members of the Thai House of Representatives 2019 but was not elected. Later in the year 2019, he was graciously appointed as the Minister of Culture in the government of Prime Minister

. In June 2021, he was elected to the executive committee of the Palang Pracharath Party.เปิดรายชื่อ กก.บห. พรรคพลังประชารัฐชุดใหม่ 22 คน
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Honors and Awards

Order of the Knights of Rizal The Knights of Rizal is an Order of Chivalry from the Philippines, created to honor and uphold the ideals of Philippine national hero José Rizal. The civic organisation of the "Order of the Knights of Rizal" was established in 1911 by Colonel An ...

- (April 2011)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khunpluem, Itthiphol Living people 1973 births Place of birth missing (living people)

Itthiphol Khunpluem Itthiphol Khunpluem ( th, อิทธิพล คุณปลื้ม; born 15 December 1973) is a Thai politician. he serves as Minister of Culture in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Early life and education Itthi ...

Golden Gate University alumni