Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit

Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit
Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit
เภา เพียรเลิศ บริภัณฑ์ยุทธกิจ
Minister of Commerce/Economic Affairs
	In office; February 12, 1935[1] – February 16, 1942
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Phraya Sorayuthaseni
Succeeded by	Sin Kamolnawin
	In office; May 29, 1948 – November 29, 1951
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Phraya Mahaisawan
Succeeded by	Munee Mahasantana Vejayantarungsarit
	In office; March 31, 1957 – September 16, 1957
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Siri Siriyothin
Succeeded by	Sukich Nimmanheminda
Minister of Finance
	In office; December 17, 1941[2] – August 1, 1944
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Pridi Banomyong[3]
Succeeded by	Khuang Aphaiwong
	In office; December 8, 1951 – March 30, 1953
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Luang Wichitwathakan
Succeeded by	Boonkerd Sutantanon
Minister of Agriculture
	In office; November 29, 1951 – December 6, 1951
Prime Minister	Plaek Phibunsongkhram
Preceded by	Chuangkasetsinlapakan
Succeeded by	Prayoon Yuthasastrkosol
Personal details
Born	10 November 1893[4]; Thonburi (now Bangkok), Thailand
Died	4 March 1970 (aged 76); Bangkok, Thailand

General Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit (Thai: เภา เพียรเลิศ บริภัณฑ์ยุทธกิจ; November 10, 1893 – March 4, 1970) was a Thai political figure who served as a Minister of Finance and Minister of Commerce.[5]

Biography

Pao was the second oldest of 12 children. He lived and studied in military school in Thailand[5] until the age of 16 at which time he went abroad to continue military study on full scholarship. He first studied in Germany until World War I broke out, after which he was transferred to Switzerland and later to Paris when Thailand participated in World War I at École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr to complete his education. He also served as an assistant to the Defence Attaché at the embassy in Paris during his study and after graduation.

He returned to Thailand at the age of 28 and served as an army official until the King granted his official title as Phra Boripanyutakit at the age of 36. He was named one of the 19 highest-ranking officials in his nation's army, serving as a liaison between the Thai Army and the Allies force during World War I. He spoke fluent French, German, and English.

He served as the Minister of Commerce for 8 terms (February 12, 1935 to February 16, 1942, from May 29, 1948 to November 29, 1951, and again from March 31, 1957 to September 16, 1957).

He served as the Minister of Finance for two different terms, from December 17, 1941 – August 1, 1944 and December 8, 1951 – March 30, 1953.[6]

He also served for a very brief period as Minister of Agriculture in 1951 in the aftermath of the Silent Coup.[7]

His most notable contribution to finance was that he helped established the foreign currency exchange of Thailand in 1955. In commerce, he helped industrialize the enamelling process for porcelain and metals commercially, started the export program for the rice industry in Thailand, and helped to create the first seaport in Thailand.