Tankhun Jitt-itsara (; born April 4, 1979, in Na Bon district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province) is a Thai politician, former actor and television host.
Early life and entertainment career Born as Ekachai Buranapanit (เอกชัย บูรณผานิต) in a Thai family of Hokkien descent in Nakhon Si Thammarat. He became known as an actor from , a 1996 television series, and The Iron Ladies, a 2000 ladyboy sport-comedy film based on true events.
The turning point in his life was his father's sudden death in October 2000. Ekachai, as the eldest son, was responsible for the family instead. He began to study dharma along with changing his name and surname to the current ones.
He is also known as a host on the hit game show Fan Pan Tae on Channel 5 between 2007 and 2009.
He is also an expert in Chinese and a serious student of Buddhism.
Political career Jitt-itsara first step in his political career was to run for general election in 2011 for Don Mueang constituency with the Democrat Party. He lost to the influential local politician Karun Hosakul of the Pheu Thai Party.
He became a Bangkok MP for the first time in the mid-2013 by-election for Don Mueang constituency to replace Hosakul who was disqualified by the Election Commission. Jitt-itsara defeated Yuranunt Pamornmontri, the replacement candidate from Pheu Thai Party, making him the first Democrat MP from Don Mueang in almost 40 years.
Later in 2024, he resigned, and in the 2026 general election, he ran as a candidate in Bangkok constituency 1 (Phra Nakhon, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Samphanthawong, Bang Rak, and Dusit except for Thanon Nakhon Chai Si) under the New Opportunity Party. However, he was not elected, receiving a total of 1,133 votes and placing 6th.
Filmography Television Year Title Role 1996 Bank 1997 Duang Fai Nai Pa Yu 1998 Krapong Baan Kah San Yung Nak Ruk Sa Loei 1999 Luerd Toranong 2000 Dr. Krok Payong Nong Mai Rai Borisut Jao Sua Noi Khae Ueam 2001 Kot Klet Mungkorn 2022 Phromlikhit Rak Neur Kanwela Tan
Film Year Title Role 2000 The Iron Ladies Wit
Royal decorations 2013 – Knight Commander (Second Class) The Most Exalted Order of the White Elephantราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่เชิดชูยิ่งช้างเผือกและเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันมีเกียรติยศยิ่งมงกุฎไทย ประจำปี ๒๕๕๖ , เล่ม ๑๓๐ ตอนที่ ๓๐ ข หน้า ๒๒๔, ๖ ธันวาคม ๒๕๕๖ 2012 – Commander (Third Class) The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailandราชกิจจานุเบกษา, ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่เชิดชูยิ่งช้างเผือกและเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันมีเกียรติยศยิ่งมงกุฎไทย ประจำปี ๒๕๕๕ , เล่ม ๑๒๙ ตอนที่ ๓๕ ข หน้า ๒๐๑, ๓ ธันวาคม ๒๕๕๕
References
External links