CHIANG RAI – The familiar image of a small-town district chief has been turned on its head. Locals have been busy sharing and searching for more information about the District Chief Officer of Wiang Chiang Rung District, Ms Mintira Phadaprasong, aka Mintra Pdps.
She is from the 79th intake of the Nai Amphoe programme, and many people describe her as both capable and striking. Some even joke that promoting local tourism no longer needs hired models.
For years, many Thais have pictured district-level administrative officers as senior officials in khaki uniforms, focused on paperwork and authority, with little that catches the public eye. Ms Mintira does not fit that mould. Her appearance is often likened to that of a celebrity, and her name has become widely discussed beyond the district.
Ms Mintira completed the Company Commander course (54th intake) at Camp Thanarat, Infantry Centre, Pran Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan. She also graduated from the Nai Amphoe programme (79th intake) at the Nai Amphoe School, College of Administration. After training, she served in various locations across Northern Thailand, including Phayao and Chiang Rai.
Her past roles include Head of Civil Registration and ID Cards at Dok Khamtai District Office in Phayao, and Head of Administration at Phaya Mengrai District Office in Chiang Rai. In 2021, she became Head of Civil Registration and National ID at the Mae Sai District Registration Office in Chiang Rai.
She later moved up to District Chief Officer of Doi Luang, Chiang Rai, and most recently took the post of District Chief Officer of Wiang Chiang Rung in early 2024, where she continues to serve.
Beyond the attention around her looks, Ms Mintira is also recognised for hands-on leadership. Her work has covered key local issues such as drug prevention and suppression, support for vulnerable groups, and help for communities affected by disasters.
Residents and local teams often see her visiting incident areas, offering support, and helping to coordinate aid. She has also pushed to highlight the strengths of Wiang Chiang Rung tourism to a wider audience.
This includes promoting the district’s sunflower fields as a seasonal attraction and raising the profile of Wat Wiang Chiang Rung as a newer historical site to visit. Other efforts include supporting orange orchards in Pa Sang Subdistrict, opening routes to Huai Mae Sak Waterfall, and encouraging visits to Huai Din Dam Reservoir in Thung Ko Subdistrict.
She has also helped promote local farming as part of the district’s identity. Wiang Chiang Rung is known for durian cultivation, with one of the largest planted areas in Chiang Rai. Alongside durian, she has supported local fruit and vegetable growing in the district.
Ms Mintira is often invited to take part in major public events. These include leading district parades during the annual King Mengrai the Great Festival in Chiang Rai Province.
She has also joined charity fashion events in Chiang Rai and Lamphun, and served as a public face for the “Sunflower Blooming in Wiang Chiang Rung” campaign at Pa Sang Subdistrict, which runs through November 2025.
On the official page of the Wiang Chiang Rung District Office, she has announced a clear policy on opposing bribery. The message states that leaders and civil servants under the district office will carry out duties fairly, transparently, and in ways that can be checked. It also stresses a firm stance on not giving or receiving bribes, and not accepting gifts linked to official duties.
Most recently, Ms Mintira chaired the opening of the Road Accident Prevention and Reduction Operations Centre for the New Year period 2026. The intensive control period runs for seven days, from 30 December 2025 to 5 January 2026, under the campaign theme: “Drive safely, reduce speed, reduce accidents”.
While some may label her as the most attractive district chief in Thailand, people in the area now speak just as much about her skills and work ethic. For many locals, the stronger impression is her commitment to improving daily life and livelihoods across Wiang Chiang Rung.
