Natthaphon Narkphanit
{{Short description|Thai politician and military officer}}
{{BLP one source|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Natthaphon Narkphanit
| native_name = {{nobold|ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์}}
| native_name_lang = th
| honorific-prefix = General
| honorific-suffix =
| image = Natthaphon Narkphanit 2024.jpg
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| office = Deputy Minister of Defence
| term_start = 3 September 2024
| term_end =
| predecessor = Chaichan Changmongkol
| successor =
| primeminister = Paetongtarn Shinawatra
| minister = Phumtham Wechayachai
| office1 = Secretary-General of the National Security Council
| term_start1 = 1 October 2020
| term_end1 = 30 September 2021
| primeminister1 = Prayut Chan-o-cha
| predecessor1 = Somsak Roongsita
| successor1 = Supoj Malaniyom
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|02|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = Ratchaburi, Thailand
| nationality = Thai
| party = United Thai Nation Party
| otherparty =
| spouse = Vanida Narkphanit
| relations =
| children = 2
| residence =
| alma_mater = Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy
| occupation =
| allegiance = {{flag|Thailand}}
| branch = {{Army|Thailand}}
| serviceyears = 1988–2020
| unit =
| commands =
| battles =
| awards =
| signature = Natthaphon Nakphanit signature.svg
}}
Natthaphon Narkphanit ({{langx|th|ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์}}; born 13 February 1961) is a Thai politician and retired military officer.[https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/08/statement-by-nsc-spokesperson-emily-horne-on-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivans-call-with-secretary-general-natthaphon-narkphanit-of-the-thai-national-security-council/ Statement by NSC Spokesperson Emily Horne on National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan’s Call with Secretary General Natthaphon Narkphanit of the Thai National Security Council] 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.[https://www.thaipost.net/x-cite-news/650503/ 'บุ๊ง' แกนนำสามนิ้ว โชว์ภาพคู่ 'บิ๊กเล็ก' รมช.กลาโหม ป้ายแดง ระบุยินดีกับนายด้วย][https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/331035 พล.อ.ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์ รมว.กลาโหม ข้อต่อสำคัญ “กองทัพ-รัฐบาล”]
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).[https://www.pptvhd36.com/news/%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%87/231897 เปิดประวัติ "ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์" น้องรักบิ๊กตู่ สู่ รมช.กลาโหม] He also studied at the Royal Thai Army Command and General Staff College and the National Defence College of Thailand.[https://www.matichonweekly.com/column/article_424903 ศึกนอก ศึกใน ของ ‘แม่ทัพประยุทธ์’ และขุนพลข้างกาย กับศึก 2 ด้านของ ‘ธรรมนัส’ มองกองทัพในยุค ‘3 ป.’ ถอย/รายงานพิเศษ... อ่านข่าวต้นฉบับได้ที่ : https://www.matichonweekly.com/column/article_424903]
Career
File:Linda Thomas-Greenfield met with NSC SG Nattaphon Narkphanit.jpg 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.[https://www.komchadluek.net/kom-lifestyle/443404 เปิดประวัติ "บิ๊กเล็ก" พล.อ.ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์ เลขาฯ สมช. คนใหม่]
He was the Director of the Directorate of Operations in 2015 and became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army in 2016.[https://www.thairath.co.th/news/politic/2720674?type=a เปิดประวัติ "บิ๊กเล็ก" พล.อ.ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์ ถูกเปลี่ยนตัว รมว.กลาโหม นาทีสุดท้าย]
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.[https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/politics/901939 โปรดเกล้าฯ 'พล.อ.ณัฐพล นาคพานิชย์' เป็นเลขาธิการ สมช.] 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).[https://www.bbc.com/thai/articles/cx9r7k457d8o ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์ จาก “น้องรักประยุทธ์” และ “แม่ทัพโรคระบาด” สู่โผ รมว.กลาโหม ในรัฐบาลเศรษฐา 1][https://www.bbc.com/thai/thailand-59160414 ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์ พลเอกในงาน คสช.-สมช.-ศบค. กับคำขอ "อย่ามองว่าทหารต้องรบอย่างเดียว"] 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.[https://www.posttoday.com/politics/657021 เลขาฯสมช.คาดติดเชื้อโควิดแตะหมื่นคนวอนทุกฝ่ายจับมือฝ่าวิกฤต][https://www.thaipbs.or.th/news/content/305876 ประเมินท่าทีนายกฯ เลือกเลขาฯสมช.คนใหม่แทน "พล.อ.ณัฐพล" ]
Political career
After retiring from government service, he was appointed Advisor to the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.[https://www.amarintv.com/news/detail/101711 เปิดประวัติ บิ๊กเล็ก จากรั้วทัพบก สู่ที่ปรึกษานายกฯ คนล่าสุด]
In September 2023, he was appointed Secretary to the Minister of Defense Sutin Klungsang[https://www.prachachat.net/politics/news-1392580 เปิดประวัติ “บิ๊กเล็ก” พล.อ.ณัฐพล นาคพาณิชย์ สุทินชงนั่งเลขานุการ] and a year later, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense in the Paetongtarn Shinawatra Government.[https://www.hfocus.org/content/2024/09/31547 โปรดเกล้าฯครม.แพทองธาร "สมศักดิ์" รมว.สธ.ตามเดิม "เดชอิศม์" รมช.สธ.]
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Narkphanit, Natthaphon}}