Itthiphol Khunpluem (Thai: อิทธิพล คุณปลื้ม; born 15 December 1973)[1] is a Thai politician who served as Minister of Culture in the second cabinet of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha from July 2019 to September 2023, and as Mayor of Pattaya from 2008 to 2016.

[10] Presumed to date back to the 10th or 11th century from Buriram and Sa Kaeo provinces, they display the Hindu deities of Indra and Yama and had been displayed at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, until an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security led to its return to Thailand.

[11] The artifact return was marked by a traditional ceremony attended by Itthiphol who thanked American authorities.

[14] On 25 July 2023, the National Anti-Corruption Commission found enough evidence to believe Itthiphol broke the law under Section 157 of the Criminal Code over his approval of The Waterfront Suites and Residence in 2008.

However, he had fled to Cambodia on 30 August, but returned to Thailand on October 9, where he was arrested by authorities at Suvarnabhumi airport after surrendering.