Draft:Pachara Naripthaphan

Pachara Naritthapan
พชร นริพทะพันธุ์
Executive Advisor to Chairman of the NBTC
Personal details
Born	(1985-09-30) September 30, 1985 Bangkok, Thailand
Spouse	Joy Naripthaphan
Children	4
Parent	Pichai Naripthaphan (father)
Education	University of Southern California Boston University Columbia University

Pachara (Palm) Naripthaphan, born on September 30, 1985, is a dynamic political manager and enthusiastic social enterprise entrepreneur in Thailand. He currently serves as the Executive Advisor to the Chairman of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission ( NBTC).

Navigating the complexities of Thai politics, he has effectively managed multiple cabinet portfolios, supported by a keen understanding of character dynamics and policy intricacies. As a co-founder of ‘Salt-Surf,’ a local surf club at Pakarang Beach, Khaolak, Phangnga, he advocates for a social enterprise focused on enhancing community welfare through environmental awareness and sustainable practices. His experience also includes roles as a research assistant and consultant at the Global Challenges Center, Asian University of Technology. Additionally, he contributed insights as a co-host on the television program “Tonight Thailand” at Voice TV.

In addition to his role at NBTC, he currently serves as a trainer at the Pointman Leadership Institute, an international non-profit organization dedicated to fostering ethical leadership skills in military and law enforcement personal and the public sector.

Early life and education

Pachara was born on September 30, 1985, in Bangkok, Thailand. He is the son of Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce, former Minister of Energy, and former Deputy Minister of Finance. His mother, Mrs. Nantana Sanglee, is a businesswoman in Phuket Province. Pachara is married to Ms. Joy Naripthaphan, and they have four children.

Pachara attended school in Bangkok before relocating to Phuket for his secondary education. In Phuket, he became involved in his family's Hotel and Hospitality business. This experience allowed him to enter the political arena at the age of 17, serving as a junior assistant to the Deputy Prime Minister. Since then, he has assisted cabinet officials across various ministries.

He served as Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment (2004 and 2009), Minister of Information and Communication Technology (2005), Minister of Industry (2009), Executive Consultant in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand (2008), and Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister of Finance (2009). In 2011, at the Ministry of Energy, he was appointed Chief of Staff and the Ministry's spokesperson.

Education Pachara completed his primary education at Assumption College, Bangkok and attained the International Baccalaureate at Dulwich International School, Phuket. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, Law, International Politics, and Psychology from the University of Southern California. Subsequently, he pursued a Master of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Boston University, as well as a Master of Science degree in Conflict Resolution and Negotiation from Columbia University. Pachara received a CSC scholarship to undertake doctoral studies in Biological Sciences at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. In 2024, He was selected to participate in the National Defense Course for Future Leaders (NDCFL) at the National Defence College of Thailand.

Career

Early Political Career

In 2002, Pachara commenced his political career by interning at the Prime Minister's Office under Mr. Suwit Khunkitti, Deputy Prime Minister in the Thaksin Shinawatra administration, before relocating to the United States to pursue a bachelor's degree.

In 2004, Pachara was appointed as secretary to Mr. Suwit Khunkitti, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in the administration of Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra. He was tasked with responsibilities in the tsunami disaster area, serving as a coordinator and assistant commander of the Takua Pa Forward Disaster Center at the Takua Pa District Office.

This is the work that changes his life. Pachara spent a month in the disaster area coordinating government and private agencies. He saw those who love spotlight and those who work endlessness and selflessly for others, this is where he understands the word “VANITY” and where he become a “born again” Christian.

In 2008, following the administration of General Surayud Chulanont, which arose from the 2006 Thai coup, preparations for the general election commenced after the completion of the 2007 constitution. He was appointed deputy spokesman for the Puea Pandin Party, led by Mr. Suwit Khunkitti. Pachara message was “Politician needs to serve the people, not the selves, they need to be the slave for the people, working tirelessly to ease their pain” Subsequently, during the government of Mr. Samak Sundaravej, he served as an expert and advisor to Mr. Suwit Khunkitti, who was then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, working in the administrative and promotion department of the Board of Investment (BOI). The most significant policy was the start of the ECOCAR, low emission small engine and affordable car from Japan. This has change the landscape of motor industry in Thailand.

Following the 2011 election, the Pheu Thai Party emerged victorious, with Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra assuming the role of Prime Minister. He served as the spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy, under the leadership of Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan as Minister of Energy. In this capacity, he was instrumental as a spokesperson, and during the 2011 flood crisis in Thailand, he also contributed to managing the Bangkok Flood Crisis Center to address the situation effectively. In addition, the power development plan architect during that time lead to the springboard growth of Renewable Energy growth in Thailand.

Prior to 2023 general election, Pachara Naripthaphan was appointed as Executive Committee of Puea Thai Party, which he served in Economic Policy Committee and Digital Policy Committee prior his appointment at NBTC.

Works at NBTC

As an advisor to the NBTC Chairman and his chief of staff, he played a pivotal role in advocating for the implementation of the Cell Broadcast Emergency Warning System as a critical policy initiative (Cell Broadcast). This effort aimed to enhance public safety through the promotion of a mobile warning system integrated with the government's command system, including the advancement of the Emergency Warning System (EWS). He also a cybersecurity advocate taking lead in countering cyber scam and human trafficking related to call center. He also taking leading the satellite innovation in GEOs, LEOs, include working closely Starlink to have the first Sandbox in Thailand, One Web for their landing right and Kaipur Amazon for their compliance eligibility.

Under the auspices of the NBTC, he has advanced "cyber diplomacy" to enhance Thailand’s international initiatives in addressing the issue of call center gangs. This effort includes collaboration with Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Taiwan, which are recognized for their expertise and significant roles in combating technology-related crimes. He also actively engages with USFCC, GSMA, ITU and agencies in various international forum.

Additionally, he is advocating for investment in Thailand's circuit board manufacturing and data center sectors, which are projected to exceed one hundred billion baht. This includes the application of 5G technology in public services such as IoT/Smart City initiatives and telemedicine services, thereby increasing the demand for high-speed connectivity and fostering the development of mobile service providers on virtual networks (MVNOs) to increase competition and choice for customers and ability to utilize the cost spent on spectrum acquisition effectively.

Works at Private Sector

Pachara in 2008 was the country director for prestige government affairs advisory firm Brooksbowerasia, where he assists clients Johnson and Johnson, Mars, Qualcomm, HP and Coca-Cola on regulatory advocacy and compliance. He was later become regulatory and investment advisor for TPG Capital and Kellogg’s during the period of authoritarian government under General Prayuth Chan-o-cha.

With a Christian ideology of love, peace and community, Pachara also contributed to community working with Asia Small Group and section of National Prayer Breakfast group base in Washington DC. Pachara also worked closely with Southern European Peace Initiative, visiting Kosovo, Romania, and Ukraine with US congressional delegates.