Supajee to Propose New Permanent Secretary of Commerce

Khaosod•Economy•9d ago

Reader Briefing

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Supajee Suthamphan prepares to propose the appointment of a new Permanent Secretary of Commerce to the Cabinet.

•Supajee Suthamphan plans to propose a new Permanent Secretary of Commerce on August 5, 2026.
•The appointment is to replace Wuttigrai Leewiraphan, who retires on September 30, 2026.
•Punpong Naiyanapakorn and Oramon Sapthaweethum are identified as candidates for the position.
•Punpong Naiyanapakorn is widely expected by various parties to be the sole name submitted for Cabinet approval.

Overview

•On August 5, 2026, Supajee Suthamphan will propose the appointment of high-level administrative officials at the Ministry of Commerce.
•The vacancy for Permanent Secretary of Commerce arises because Wuttigrai Leewiraphan will retire on September 30, 2026.
•Punpong Naiyanapakorn, Director-General of the Department of Business Development, is considered a strong candidate due to achievements in reducing cost-of-living pressures and tackling nominee issues.
•Oramon Sapthaweethum, Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property, is also a candidate with achievements in intellectual property registration and SME support.
•Supajee Suthamphan is expected to submit only one name to the Cabinet for the Permanent Secretary position.
•Appointments for other C-10 positions, including Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion and Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade, are expected to be proposed in a subsequent Cabinet meeting.
•Potential movement for Witayakorn Maneenet from Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade is attributed to Supajee Suthamphan's dissatisfaction with his performance in solving product price and cost-of-living issues during the Middle East war energy crisis.

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Key Entities

Person

Supajee Suthamphan(ศุภจี สุธรรมพันธุ์)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce.

Punpong Naiyanapakorn(พูนพงษ์ นัยนาภากรณ์)

Director-General of the Department of Business Development and a candidate for Permanent Secretary of Commerce.

Wuttigrai Leewiraphan(วุฒิไกร ลีวีระพันธุ์)

Current Permanent Secretary of Commerce who will retire on September 30, 2026.

Oramon Sapthaweethum(อรมน ทรัพย์ทวีธรรม)

Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property and a candidate for Permanent Secretary of Commerce.

Warawut Somwangprasert(วราวุฒิ สมหวังประเสริฐ)

Inspector General of the Ministry of Commerce rumored to be proposed as Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion.

Sunanta Kangwankulkij(สุนันทา กังวานกุลกิจ)

Official who is about to retire from the position of Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion.

Koranit Nonjui(กรนิจ โนนจุ้ย)

Inspector General and spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce.

Wattanasak Suea-iam(วัฒนศักย์ เสือเอี่ยม)

Chief Inspector General of the Ministry of Commerce.

Chakra Yodmanee(จักรา ยอดมณี)

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce.

Witayakorn Maneenet(วิทยากร มณีเนตร)

Current Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade.

Ekachat Seetawattana(เอกฉัตร ศีตวรรัตน์)

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce who will retire on September 30, 2026.

Nanthapong Jiralertphong(นันทพงษ์ จิระเลิศพงษ์)

Director of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office.

Kittiwat Patchimanan(กิตติวัฒน์ ปัจฉิมนันท์)

Inspector General of the Ministry of Commerce.

Jittima Srithaporn(จิตติมา ศรีถาพร)

Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce.

Kanittha Kangsuwanich(กนิษฐา กังสวนิช)

Inspector General of the Ministry of Commerce.

Organization

Ministry of Commerce(กระทรวงพาณิชย์)ℹ️

The government ministry responsible for commerce.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The executive body responsible for approving official appointments.

Department of Business Development(กรมพัฒนาธุรกิจการค้า)

A department under the Ministry of Commerce.

Department of Intellectual Property(กรมทรัพย์สินทางปัญญา)

A department under the Ministry of Commerce.

Department of International Trade Promotion(กรมส่งเสริมการค้าระหว่างประเทศ)

A department under the Ministry of Commerce.

Department of Internal Trade(กรมการค้าภายใน)

A department under the Ministry of Commerce.

Trade Policy and Strategy Office(สำนักงานนโยบายและยุทธศาสตร์การค้า)

An office within the Ministry of Commerce.

Policy

Thai Chuay Thai(ไทยช่วยไทย)

A project to reduce the prices of essential cost-of-living goods.