Pichai Chunhavajira (, ) is a Thai politician who has served as

Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand The deputy prime minister of Thailand (, ) is a ministerial position within the government of Thailand. Several deputy prime ministers can be appointed and serve concurrently. Such appointments are usually made by the Prime Minister of Thailand ...

and

Ministry of Finance A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position . A ministry of finance's portfoli ...

since 2024. Prior to his political career, he served as the chair of the board of Bangchak Corporation from 2012 and as chairman of the

Stock Exchange of Thailand The Stock Exchange of Thailand (, ; SET) has been the sole stock exchange operator in Thailand since its establishment on 30 April 1975. As of 8 April 2025, with a market capitalization of US$380.19 billion (excluding mai) at an exchange rate ...

in 2024.

Early life and education

Pichai Chunhavajira, commonly known by his nickname "Bank," earned a Bachelor's degree in Commerce and Accounting from

Thammasat University Thammasat University (TU; ; , ) is a public university, public research university in Thailand with campuses in the Tha Phra Chan area of Bangkok, Rangsit, Pattaya and Lampang Province. , Thammasat University has over 39,000 students enrolled in ...

. He later pursued a Master's degree in Business Administration from

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) is a Public university, public research university in Indiana, Pennsylvania, United States. The university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and Carnegie Classification o ...

, USA.

Career

Early career

From 2001 to 2013, Pichai Chunhavajira served as a director at PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited. From 2012 until April 25, 2024, he held the position of Chairman of the Board at Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited. Between 2014 and 2017, Pichai was a director at the

Bank of Thailand The Bank of Thailand (BOT; Abbreviation, abbr. ธปท.; , ) is the central bank of Thailand. History The Bank of Thailand (BOT) was first set up as the Thai National Banking Bureau. The Bank of Thailand Act was promulgated on 28 April 1942 ...

. From February 5 to April 25, 2024, he served as Chairman of the Board of the

Political career

Prime Minister's Advisor

On September 15, 2023, Prime Minister Settha Thavisin signed a decree appointing Pichai Chunhavajira as the Prime Minister's Advisor.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

Later, on April 27, 2024, His Majesty the King graciously appointed Pichai as

Deputy Prime Minister A deputy prime minister or vice prime minister is, in some countries, a Minister (government), government minister who can take the position of acting prime minister when the prime minister is temporarily absent. The position is often likened to th ...

, replacing Panpree Phahitthanukorn, who was appointed solely as the

Minister of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the ministry of foreign affairs (abbreviated as MFA or MOFA) is the highest government department exclusively or primarily responsible for the state's foreign policy and foreign relations, relations, diplomacy, bilateralism, ...

. Pichai also assumed the position of

Minister of Finance A ministry of finance is a ministry or other government agency in charge of government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation. It is headed by a finance minister, an executive or cabinet position . A ministry of finance's portfolio ...

, replacing Settha Thavisin, who became

Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

Honors

Pichai has received the following royal decorations in the

Honours System An order is a visible honour awarded by a sovereign state, monarch, dynastic house or organisation to a person, typically in recognition of individual merit, that often comes with distinctive insignia such as collars, medals, badges, and sash ...

of Thailand: * 2005 – Knight Grand Cross of the Most Noble

Order of the Crown of Thailand The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (; ) is a Thai order, established in 1869 by King Rama V of The Kingdom of Siam (now Thailand) for Thais, the royal family, governmental employees, and foreign dignitaries for their outstanding serv ...

* 1996 – Companion of the Most Exalted

Order of the White Elephant __NOTOC__ The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (; ) is an order (decoration), order of Thailand. It was established in 1861 by King Mongkut, Rama IV of the Thailand, Kingdom of Siam. Along with the Order of the Crown of Thailand, it is r ...

Royal Gazette
Announcement from the Prime Minister's Office on the Bestowal of Decorations
Volume 113, Issue 25C, Page 99, December 25, 1996

References

Living people Pichai Chunhavajira Pichai Chunhavajira Pichai Chunhavajira 1949 births {{Thailand-politician-stub