From the entire history of Thailand, in this post we highlight four Thai women, famous in different fields – such as royalty, entertainment and music – who left their mark on society through their achievements and contributions, inspiring Thai women
Thai women are known for their kindness and hospitality around the world, values deeply rooted in Thai culture. Thanks to this rich culture, they respect and value the importance of family, and show deep appreciation for their parents and elders. Many Thai women pay attention to fashion and personal appearance, often wearing the traditional “Thai outfit” on special occasions. Furthermore, many of them have advanced in recent decades in terms of education and career, seeking to achieve higher education and building brilliant companies.
Spirituality is also a significant part of their lives, as most practice Buddhism and participate in religious activities regularly. Furthermore, Thailand is an ethnically diverse country, which means that Thai women can belong to different ethnic groups, influencing their way of seeing the world, their traditions and their interests. Each Thai woman is unique, with her own personality and experiences, and today we highlight the stories of four Thai women who have marked a before and after in the history of the Land of Smiles.
Dear Queen Sirikit:
Queen Sirikit, wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, she was very loved and respected by the Thai people. During his reign, he played an important role in promoting culture and the arts in Thailand and promoted numerous development projects for those most in need.
Queen Sirikit, whose full name was Sirikit Kitiyakara, was born on August 12, 1932 in Bangkok. She was the wife of King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as King Rama IX, and served as queen consort of Thailand from her marriage in 1950 until her husband’s death in 2016.
Queen Sirikit was born into an aristocratic Thai family. His parents were Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara and Princess Bua Kitiyakara. She was educated both in Thailand and abroad, giving her a global perspective that would later influence her role as queen consort, guiding her to improve the lives of the people of the country.
Queen Sirikit was born into an aristocratic Thai family. His parents were Prince Nakkhatra Mangkala Kitiyakara and Princess Bua Kitiyakara. She was educated both in Thailand and abroad, giving her a global perspective that would later influence her role as queen consort, guiding her to improve the lives of the people of the country.
Queen Sirikit’s marriage to King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1950 was a very important event in Thai history, and during her reign, she played a pivotal role in accompanying the King in his official duties and in representing the country abroad. During his travels he met with leaders from around the world, helping to strengthen Thailand’s diplomatic relations and guide the country toward modernization.
In addition to her commitment to the welfare of the population, Queen Sirikit was also interested in agriculture and horticulture. She was an advocate for agricultural research and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices in Thailand, a vision well ahead of her time that demonstrated the importance of sustainability within the agricultural industry to all leaders.
Queen Sirikit and King Bhumibol had four children: Princess Ubolratana, Prince Vajiralongkorn (who became King Rama X of Thailand), Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and Princess Chulabhorn Walailak. Her dedication to the royal family and her role as a mother were also important aspects of her life.
After the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 2016 and due to health problems, Queen Sirikit reduced her public participation, becoming one of the most influential and beloved figures in Thailand and an inspiration for Thai women strong>.
The beautiful Bui Porntip:
Porntip Nakhirunkanok, widely known as "Bui Porntip", is a prominent Thai model who has made her mark in the fashion industry
She began her modeling career at a young age and quickly became an iconic figure in the Thai fashion world. She won the title of Miss Thailand in 1988 and represented her country in the Miss Universe pageant, where she earned the recognition of “Miss Photogenic” and reached the semifinals.
In addition to her success as a model and beauty queen, Bui Porntip ventured into the business world, inspiring many Thai women, and founded her own fashion brand called “By Bui”, which has gained popularity in Thailand with a wide variety of fashion products, from clothing to accessories. Her unique style and her influence in the fashion world made her an inspirational figure for many young Thais interested in this industry.
In addition to her success as a model and beauty queen, Bui Porntip ventured into the business world, inspiring many Thai women, and founded her own fashion brand called “By Bui”, which has gained popularity in Thailand with a wide variety of fashion products, from clothing to accessories. Her unique style and her influence in the fashion world made her an inspirational figure for many young Thais interested in this industry.
In addition to her career in fashion and business, Bui Porntip has also been involved in charitable activities and has used her celebrity position to support various humanitarian and social causes in Thailand. His legacy in Thai fashion endures, and his contribution to the Thai industry and society is widely recognized.
The traditional dress of Thai women
The traditional female Thai dress is known in Thai as “ชุดไทย” (chut Thai). This costume is very distinctive and is used on special occasions and cultural ceremonies in Thailand and has two traditional versions:
- Chut Thai Chakkri: one of the most popular and well-known styles of traditional Thai costume. It is characterized by its elegant and tight design. It consists of a blouse called a “sabai” that wraps around the body and a long, flowing skirt called a “sin.” The sabai is often adorned with embroidery and tied intricately. Thai women often wear traditional jewelry, such as pearl necklaces and earrings, to complement this outfit. The color and patterns of the suit may vary depending on the occasion and region of Thailand.
- Chut Thai Phra Ratcha Niyom: This suit is more formal and is usually used in royal ceremonies and important events. It consists of a long blouse, a skirt and a wrap called “chong kraben.” The blouse is often decorated with gold details and elaborate patterns, and the chong kraben is a rectangular piece of cloth that is folded and placed around the waist. This suit is a sample of the rich Thai royal tradition and is usually in more sober colors.
The virtuous Apinya Sakuljaroensuk:
Also known as "Saiparn", she has become one of the most loved and respected Thai women in Thailand.
Also known as “Saiparn”, she was born on June 19, 1987 in Thailand. Her acting career took off at a young age and, in addition to her success in film and television, Saiparn has been the face of several brands and participated in advertising campaigns, further contributing to her rise in the entertainment industry. Throughout her career, she has headlined several popular films, including hits like “Hello Stranger” and “Seven Something,” cementing her position as one of the most recognized actresses in the country.
Saiparn has also seen success on television, participating in hit series that have given her a very loyal fan base among Thai women. His ability to tackle a variety of genres, from comedy to drama, has impressed critics and audiences alike, earning him awards and nominations in recognition of his talent.
In addition to her acting career, Saiparn has been an ambassador for several brands and participated in advertising campaigns, further contributing to her prominence in the world of entertainment and fashion in Thailand. Outside of the professional sphere, Saiparn has demonstrated her commitment to charitable and social causes in Thailand, using her celebrity status to support humanitarian initiatives and raise awareness of relevant issues in Thai society.
Fighter Chonthicha Jaengraew:
From prison for her activism to the Thai Parliament, promoting the rights of Thai women
Chonthicha Jaengraew, a young 30-year-old Thai politician born in Pathum Thani, became a political activist participating in pro-democracy protests. This experience led her to recognize the importance of Parliament in promoting civil rights, prompting her to run as a political candidate.
The Forward party, which Jangrew joined, achieved historic success in the May 2022 elections, marking a significant political shift in Thailand. Its commitment to democracy and human rights differentiated it from other parties aligned with the Army and the previous military Government. Her victory demonstrated the need for gender change for Thai women.
The Forward party, which Jangrew joined, achieved historic success in the May 2022 elections, marking a significant political shift in Thailand. Its commitment to democracy and human rights differentiated it from other parties aligned with the Army and the previous military Government. Her victory demonstrated the need for gender change for Thai women.
Her fight focuses on promoting women’s rights and addressing issues such as discrimination, online harassment and the gender gap. The World Bank notes that despite progress towards gender equality in Thailand, significant challenges remain in women’s labor force participation and female political representation.
The election of Chonthicha Jaengraew as an MP reflects political change in Thailand and the growing commitment to gender equality and women’s rights in the country. Her activism seeks to address entrenched gender inequalities in Thai society.
