- Source: Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit
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.
Biography
Pao was the second oldest of 12 children. He lived and studied in military school in Thailand 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.
He also served for a very brief period as Minister of Agriculture in 1951 in the aftermath of the Silent Coup.
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.
Honours
Pao received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand:
Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the White Elephant
Knight Grand Cordon of the Order of the Crown of Thailand
Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Chula Chom Klao
Companion of the Order of Rama
War Medal of B.E. 2461
Safeguarding the Constitution Medal
Dushdi Mala Medal Pin of Arts and Science (Military)
Medal for Service Rendered in the Interior - Franco-Thai War
Chakra Mala Medal
King Rama IX Royal Cypher Medal, 2nd Class
King Rama VII Coronation Medal
King Rama IX Coronation Medal
Chai Medal (World War I Victory Medal)
150 Years Commemoration of Bangkok Medal
= Foreign Honours
=France :
Knight of the Legion of Honour
War Cross (1914–1918)
Nazi Germany :
Grand Cross of the Order of the German Eagle with star
Japan :
Order of the Sacred Treasure, First Class
References
Further reading
พลเอก เภาเพียรเลิศ บริภัณฑ์ยุทธกิจ [General Phao Phienloet Boriphanyutthakit]. ฐานข้อมูลบูรพาจารย์มหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์ (Database of Historical Personnel of Kasetsart University). Kasetsart University Archives. Retrieved 15 February 2018.