Women Who
Shaped Thailand

Quick answers

Influential Thai women FAQs

Who was Thailand’s first woman prime minister?

Yingluck Shinawatra became Thailand’s first woman prime minister after Pheu Thai won the 2011 general election. She served from August 2011 until May 2014.

Who was Thailand’s second woman prime minister?

Paetongtarn Shinawatra became Thailand’s second woman prime minister in August 2024. At 37, she was also the youngest person to hold the office.

Which Thai woman has won two Olympic gold medals?

Panipak Wongpattanakit won the women’s 49 kg taekwondo title at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024. She also won bronze at Rio 2016.

Who was Thailand’s first badminton world champion?

Ratchanok Intanon became Thailand’s first senior badminton world champion in 2013. At eighteen, she was also the youngest women’s singles world champion at the time and later became Thailand’s first world No. 1 player.

Who was Thailand’s first golf major champion?

Ariya Jutanugarn won the 2016 Women’s British Open to become the first Thai golfer, woman or man, to win a major. She later won the 2018 U.S. Women’s Open and became Thailand’s first world No. 1 golfer.

Who are the Jutanugarn sisters?

Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn are Bangkok-born professional golfers. Ariya became Thailand’s first LPGA winner and golf major champion; Moriya was the 2013 LPGA Rookie of the Year and has three tour wins. They won the 2021 Dow team event together.

Who is Jasmine Suwannapura?

Jasmine Suwannapura, identified as Thidapa Suwannapura in earlier records, is a Bangkok-born professional golfer. She returned from a serious 2016 back injury to win three LPGA titles and finished second at the 2020 AIG Women’s Open.

Which Thai golfer became world No. 1 as an LPGA rookie?

Jeeno Thitikul reached No. 1 in the women’s world golf ranking on 31 October 2022 at nineteen, during her first LPGA season. She was the second Thai golfer to reach the top after Ariya Jutanugarn.

Which Thai women have won golf major championships?

Ariya Jutanugarn won the 2016 Women’s British Open and 2018 U.S. Women’s Open. Patty Tavatanakit became Thailand’s second golf major champion by winning the 2021 ANA Inspiration.

Which Thai women have won on the LPGA Tour?

As of 3 October 2026, Thailand’s seven LPGA Tour winners are Ariya Jutanugarn, Moriya Jutanugarn, Jasmine Suwannapura, Patty Tavatanakit, Pajaree Anannarukarn, Jeeno Thitikul and Chanettee Wannasaen.

What was Sudarat Keyuraphan’s role in Thai health policy?

As public health minister from 2001 to 2005, Sudarat led the rapid nationwide rollout of the Universal Coverage Scheme with health officials, researchers and earlier reform advocates.

Who is Sirikanya Tansakun?

Sirikanya Tansakun is an economist, party-list MP and People’s Party deputy leader known for budget scrutiny and economic-policy work across Future Forward, Move Forward and the People’s Party.

Is Lalisa Manobal Thai?

Yes. Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal was born in Buriram, Thailand. She moved to South Korea as a teenager, debuted with Blackpink in 2016 and later established the company LLOUD for her solo work.

How were the women in this collection selected?

The collection uses documented national or international impact, reliable sources and legally reusable images. It is a curated reading path, not a definitive ranking of influential Thai women.