Tankhun Jitt-itsara
# Tankhun Jitt-itsara

Tankhun Jitt-itsara (Thai: แทนคุณ จิตต์อิสระ; 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 Torfun Gub Marwin [th], 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.

