| Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit | |
| Native Name: | เภา เพียรเลิศ บริภัณฑ์ยุทธกิจ |
| Native Name Lang: | th |
| Nationality: | Thai |
| Office: | Minister of Commerce/Economic Affairs |
| Term Start: | February 12, 1935[1] |
| Term End: | February 16, 1942 |
| Primeminister: | Plaek Phibunsongkhram |
| Predecessor: | Phraya Sorayuthaseni |
| Successor: | Sin Kamolnawin |
| Term Start2: | May 29, 1948 |
| Term End2: | November 29, 1951 |
| Primeminister2: | Plaek Phibunsongkhram |
| Predecessor2: | Phraya Mahaisawan |
| Successor2: | Munee Mahasantana Vejayantarungsarit |
| Term Start3: | March 31, 1957 |
| Term End3: | September 16, 1957 |
| Primeminister3: | Plaek Phibunsongkhram |
| Predecessor3: | Siri Siriyothin |
| Successor3: | Sukich Nimmanheminda |
| Office4: | Minister of Finance |
| Term Start4: | December 17, 1941[2] |
| Term End4: | August 1, 1944 |
| Primeminister4: | Plaek Phibunsongkhram |
| Predecessor4: | Pridi Banomyong[3] |
| Successor4: | Khuang Aphaiwong |
| Term Start5: | December 8, 1951 |
| Term End5: | March 30, 1953 |
| Primeminister5: | Plaek Phibunsongkhram |
| Predecessor5: | Luang Wichitwathakan |
| Successor5: | Boonkerd Sutantanon |
| Office6: | Minister of Agriculture |
| Term Start6: | November 29, 1951 |
| Term End6: | December 6, 1951 |
| Primeminister6: | Plaek Phibunsongkhram |
| Successor6: | Prayoon Yuthasastrkosol |
| Birth Date: | 10 November 1893[4] |
| Birth Place: | Thonburi (now Bangkok), Thailand |
| Death Place: | Bangkok, Thailand |
General Pao Pienlert Boripanyutakit (Thai: เภา เพียรเลิศ บริภัณฑ์ยุทธกิจ; November 10, 1893March 4, 1970) was a Thai political figure who served as a Minister of Finance and Minister of Commerce.[5]
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.
Pao received the following royal decorations in the Honours System of Thailand: