Sirikanya Tansakun (Thai: ศิริกัญญา ตันสกุล) is a Thai politician and former academic, serving as the deputy leader of the People's Party, the de facto successor to the Move Forward Party, which was dissolved by the Constitutional Court in August 2024.[1][2] Tansakun served as the deputy leader of Move Forward Party from 2020 to 2024.[3][4][5]

Sirikanya Tansakun
ศิริกัญญา ตันสกุล
Deputy Leader of the People's Party
Assumed office
9 August 2024
Preceded byHerself (Move Forward Party; de facto)
Deputy Leader of the Move Forward Party
In office
14 March 2020 – 7 August 2024
Member of the House of Representatives
Assumed office
24 March 2019
Personal details
EducationThammasat University (MA)
Toulouse Capitole University (MA)

Career

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She graduated from Thammasat University with a bachelor's and master's degree in economics and later earned a master's degree from the University of Toulouse[6]

Tansakun previously served as a research fellow at the Thailand Development Research Institute.[7] She later joined the Future Forward Party and its successor Move Forward Party.[7][8] She served as head of the Move Forward Party's economic policy team.[9]

In February 2024, Sirikanya Tansakun criticized Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's public arguments with the Bank of Thailand regarding a push to lower interest rates.[10]

In August 2024, Tansakun was widely considered the favorite to lead the People's Party following the dissolution of the Move Forward Party, but Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut was chosen instead.[1][2][11]

In September 2024, Tansakun warned that Thailand's debt and interest burden would lead to a credit downgrade.[12]

In October 2024, Tansakun criticized the "digital wallet" stimulus scheme enacted by the Pheu Thai-led government, claiming the plan differed from the original proposal to distribute money digitally.[13] She previously expressed skepticism about how the plan would be financed and distributed.[14][15][16]

Awards

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  • 2020 —   The Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand.[17]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Move Forward deputy leader promises new chapter for Thai politics". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  2. ^ a b Bloomberg, Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Anuchit Nguyen / (2024-08-07). "Thai Court Disbands Move Forward Party Over Royal Reform Campaign". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  3. ^ "Sirikanya tipped to head Move Forward's successor". nationthailand. 2024-07-30. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  4. ^ "Move Forward MPs moving to 'new home'". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  5. ^ "Thailand risks credit rating downgrade, opposition warns". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  6. ^ Thiranet, Pantip (2019-10-27). "'เป็นเด็กเนิร์ดที่ขบถ' เส้นทางชีวิตสู่ (ดาว) สภา 'ศิริกัญญา ตันสกุล'" ['Being a rebellious nerd', the path to (star) in the House of Representatives, 'Sirikanaya Tansakun']. Matichon (in Thai). Retrieved 2024-10-13. [Graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree from the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, and received a master's degree from the University of Toulouse, France]
  7. ^ a b "Move Forward eyes three leaders for next incarnation". nationthailand. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  8. ^ Tan, Tam Mei (2023-05-06). "Young politicians energise Thai election with social media outreach, progressive politics". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  9. ^ "Parties' economic leaders: Who are they and what do they offer?". nationthailand. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  10. ^ "Thai Opposition Slams PM for Public Feud With BOT on Rate Cut". Bloomberg.com. 2024-02-23. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  11. ^ "New opposition leader receives royal endorsement". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  12. ^ "Thailand Risks Credit Rating Downgrade as Debt Mounts, Opposition Party Warns". Bloomberg.com. 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  13. ^ "Thailand starts cash handouts to stimulate economy – DW – 10/05/2024". dw.com. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  14. ^ "Digital wallet handout funds 'put Thai state-run banks at risk'". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  15. ^ "No new revelations in digital wallet scheme announcement: MFP MP". nationthailand. 2024-07-24. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  16. ^ Bloomberg, Patpicha Tanakasempipat and Pathom Sangwongwanich / (2023-11-10). "Thailand Goes Ahead With Controversial $14 Billion Cash Handout to Prop Economy". TIME. Retrieved 2024-10-13.
  17. ^ Royal Gazette, Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office on the Awarding of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant and the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand for the year 2020 , Volume 138, Special Section 1, Page 16, 22 January 2021