Record 52 female MPs elected, pledge to push women’s issues

Published on February 10, 2005

More female politicians were elected as MPs in this election than at any other time in the history of Thai politics, and some of these 52 new members of parliament have vowed to boost women’s rights.

Penchisa Hong-oupathamchai, 36, a successful Thai Rak Thai party candidate from Angthong, told The Nation she would strive to make women equal to men in all areas, especially leadership, and co-operate with other female MPs to promote women’s rights.

“My goal is to develop Angthong as a tourist destination instead of a transit-point,” said Penchisa, who holds a master’s degree from Dhurakijpundit University.

“Politics is a participatory endeavour, as seen in the last two elections where people became more involved and benefited from politics,” she said.

The first-time MP has plenty of links in politics, having two brothers as councillors for Angthong and a sister who is a kamnan.

Narisa Atithepworaphant, 39, a successful Democrat MP from Nakhon Si Thammarat, said she would encourage women in politics at all levels and draft laws protecting women against domestic violence.

“Thai politics has not improved much, as proven by the election results in which the system of checks and balances failed. The opposition will have difficulty with less than 100 seats,” said the second-time candidate with a master’s degree in Organisational Administration from Boston University in the US.

Silampha Lertnuwat, a Thai Rak Thai MP from Bangkok, said she would push for laws to support women’s rights and improve security for Bangkok residents, adding that her politician father, Samphan Lertnuwat, inspired her to enter politics.

Silampha said Thai Rak Thai’s decisive victory would mean policies materialise faster and more efficiently. She said the opposition could still be effective, noting that the Singaporean opposition does a good job with a small amount of seats.

Silampha has a master’s degree in political science and is a former advisor to the Public Health Minister.

Thitima Chaisaeng, 44, a Thai Rak Thai candidate from Chachoengsao, said she entered politics to keep up a 40-year family tradition and help her brother, Deputy Prime Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng, to serve the country.

Thitima has MBA and MPA degrees from the Southeastern University in the US and is chairperson of the Provincial Education Office committee.

Pareena Kraikub, 28, a Thai Rak Thai candidate from Ratchaburi, said she wanted to follow in the footsteps of her father, Tawee Kraikub, and enable government projects such as the SML project and the agricultural products’ price guarantee scheme.

Pareena was runner-up in Miss Thailand 2001 and is currently studying for a PhD in political science at Thammasat University.

Sucheera Pinijparakarn, Nutthawut Popum

The Nation

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