Itthiphol Khunpluem (Thai:อิทธิพล คุณปลื้ม; born 15 December 1973)^[1] is a Thai politician who served asMinister of Culture in thesecond cabinet of Prime MinisterPrayut Chan-o-cha from July 2019 to September 2023, and as Mayor of Pattaya from 2008 to 2016.^[2][3][4]

Itthiphol Khunpluem
อิทธิพล คุณปลื้ม
Itthiphol on 14 September 2019
Minister of Culture
In office 10 July 2019 – 1 September 2023
Prime Minister	Prayut Chan-o-cha
Preceded by	Veera Rojpojanarat
Succeeded by	Sermsak Pongpanich
Mayor ofPattaya City
In office 4 May 2008 – 16 June 2016
Preceded by	Niran Watanasatsathorn
Succeeded by	Chanatpong Sriwiset
Personal details
Born	(1973-12-15)15 December 1973 (age 51) Chonburi, Thailand
Political party	United Thai Nation Party
Spouse	Ratchada Chatikavanij
Parent	Somchai Khunpluem (father)
Relatives	Sontaya Kunplome (brother) Wittaya Khunpluem (brother)
Alma mater	Chulalongkorn University Golden Gate University

Itthiphol is the son ofSomchai Khunpluem ("Kamnan Poh") and Satil Khunpluem.^[5] He graduated fromAssumption College Sriracha and high school from Suankularb Wittayalai School. He graduated with a bachelor's degree Bachelor of Laws from the Faculty of Law,Chulalongkorn University and master's degree Master of Laws fromGolden Gate University, USA.^[6]

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 ofPattaya City and was elected for 2 terms.

In 2018, he joined thePalang Pracharath Party and ran for election in theChonburi 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 appointed as the Minister of Culture in the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.^[7] In June 2021, he was elected to the executive committee of the Palang Pracharath Party.^[8]

On 10 July 2019, Itthiphol was appointed Minister of Culture by Prayut Chan-o-cha as the Minister of Culture.^[7]

On 30 September 2019, he attended the Phuket Vegetarian Festival in place of Prayut, where he presided over the opening ceremony and led a prayer ceremony.^[9]

On 31 May 2021, two ancient sandstone lintels stolen during theVietnam War from Thailand and smuggled to the United States, were repatriated from the United States to the National Museum inBangkok.^[10] Presumed to date back to the 10th or 11th century fromBuriram andSa Kaeo provinces, they display theHindu deities ofIndra andYama and had been displayed at theAsian Art Museum inSan Francisco, until an investigation by theDepartment of Homeland Security led to its return to Thailand.^[11] The artifact return was marked by a traditional ceremony attended by Itthiphol who thanked American authorities.^[12]

On 18 February 2022, he discussed furthering cultural ties between Thailand andBahrain with the Bahraini ambassador to Thailand, Mona Abbas Mahmoud Radhi.^[13]

On 9 November 2022, he spoke on how the Thai filmHanuman White Monkey, which revolves around the Hindu godHanuman and containsKhon performance, will help preserve Thai cultural heritage.^[14]

On 25 July 2023, theNational Anti-Corruption Commission found enough evidence to believe Itthiphol broke the law under Section 157 of the Criminal Code over his approval ofThe Waterfront Suites and Residence in 2008. The case was then forwarded to theCriminal Court for Corruption and Misconduct Cases [th].^[15] On 5 September 2023, the Court approved an arrest warrant for Itthiphol. However, he had fled toCambodia on 30 August, but returned to Thailand on October 9, where he was arrested by authorities atSuvarnabhumi airport after surrendering.^[16] Itthiphol is currently facing charges ofmisfeasance.^[17]

•  Order of the Knights of Rizal - (April 2011)