Natthaphon Narkphanit

Natthaphon Narkphanit (, ; born 13 February 1961) is a Thai politician and retired military officer. 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.

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). He also studied at the Royal Thai Army Command and General Staff College and the National Defence College of Thailand.

Career

Natthaphon previously served in the Royal Thai Army as a Light Weapons Company 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.

He was the Director of the Directorate of Operations in 2015 and became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army in 2016.

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. 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). 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.

Political career After retiring from government service, he was appointed Advisor to the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

In September 2023, he was appointed Secretary to the Minister of Defense Sutin Klungsang and a year later, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense in the Paetongtarn Shinawatra Government.

Natthaphon played a significant role as a military leader in the government's efforts to resolve the 2025 Cambodia–Thailand border conflict. He tried to get Thailand and Cambodia to use bilateral negotiation mechanisms to resolve the issue, although he was criticized for being indecisive in the matter.

On September 19, 2025, Natthaphon was appointed Minister of Defense in the Anutin Charnvirakul government.

Honours