Noppadon was born in Nakhon Ratchasima and educated at Thammasat University, Bangkok, where he graduated top of his class in law in 1982 and won a Fulbright scholarship to study in the United States.

In November 2006, Thaksin, who was in exile following the coup, appointed Noppadon as his legal adviser, in matters relating both to his status in Thailand and his business affairs in Britain and elsewhere.

"[5] Samak Sundaravej's 5-month-old government was in great trouble on July 10, 2008 after Noppadon Pattama, as 3rd top official in the ruling People Power Party (PPP) resigned, effective Monday.

Its deputy leader Yongyut Tiyapairat, was banned from politics for 5 years, after the Supreme Court affirmed vote buying charges against him.

The Constitutional Court ruled on July 8 that Noppadon and the entire cabinet violated the charter by failing to ask parliamentary approval for a Cambodia deal.

Noppadon signed the agreement on June, to support Cambodia's bid to seek World Heritage status for the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple.