Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala

Thirachai returned to Thailand to work at the Bank of Thailand in 1977. During his 26 years career at the central bank, he has covered financial institution supervision, monetary policy and financial markets. Moreover, he occupied himself with the enactment of several laws related to financial services. In 2003, Thirachai was Deputy Governor of the Bank of Thailand. Other positions held by Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala included member of the board of Experts for Interpretation of Tax Code, the Thai Institute of Directors, the Financial Institution Policy Board at the Bank of Thailand, the National Credit Bureau Co., Ltd. and the Insurance Commission. Additionally, he served on various government agencies' committees to study and recommend on policy issues.

In December 2003, Thirachai was appointed Secretary-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of Thailand.

After her success in the 2011 general election, Pheu Thai Party leader Yingluck Shinawatra chose him for Finance Minister after Siam Commercial Bank Pcl Chairman Vichit Suraphongchai declined to accept the position. He was appointed on August 9, 2011 and was later succeeded by Korn Chatikavanij.

After taking office, Mr Thirachai ruled out any near-term move to a balanced budget; the Finance Ministry had previously set a target to balance the budget by 2015. In a cabinet reshuffle on 18 January 2012, Thirachai was sacked from his position and was replaced by Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong, formerly Minister of Commerce.^[1]

Thirachai is married and has three children.

• Martin Petty (August 10, 2011). "Stars are aligned for new Thai finmin Thirachai". Reuters. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
• "Mr. Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala: profile". Securities and Exchange Commission. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2011.