Introducing the biography of “Mai - Sirikanya Tansakul,” the only female prime minister candidate of the People’s Party, a young economist and deputy party leader for policy. Will the 2026 election produce a single-party government?
On 16 December 2025, the countdown to the new general election on 8 February 2026 begins, as announced by the Election Commission. Candidate registration will open from 27 to 31 December 2025. Many political parties have started unveiling their prime minister candidates, including the People’s Party, which includes: Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut Leader of the People’s Party and first prime minister candidate, Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul Deputy leader of the People’s Party for policy and second candidate, and Mr. Weerayut Kanchuchat Deputy leader for political strategy and policy advisor, third candidate.
Regarding the biography of Ms. Sirikanya Tansakul, nicknamed Mai, she was born on 4 April 1981, currently 44 years old (in 2025). She completed high school at Triam Udom Suksa School, earned bachelor's and master's degrees in economics from Thammasat University, and a master's degree from Toulouse University, France. She has worked for the Thailand Future Foundation (TFF) and the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI).
Ms. Sirikanya entered politics with the Future Forward Party as policy director, invited by Mr. Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit, then party leader. She ran as a party-list MP, ranked 15th, and was elected for the first term. She was also chosen as chair of the House Committee on Economic Development of the 25th Thai House of Representatives. On 21 February 2020, the Constitutional Court ruled 7-2 to dissolve the Future Forward Party and barred its executives from politics for 10 years due to a loan of 191 million baht from Thanathorn, violating Section 72 of the Political Parties Act 2017.
At that time, Ms. Sirikanya and most MPs not disqualified joined the Move Forward Party. The party appointed her deputy leader. She played a key role as head of the party’s economic team. After the Constitutional Court dissolved Move Forward Party on 7 August 2024, MPs moved to the new People’s Party. At the first extraordinary general meeting of the People’s Party, Ms. Sirikanya stated she did not wish to run for party leader against Mr. Natthapong Ruangpanyawut, remaining as deputy leader and continuing to oversee policy affairs.
On 23 November 2025, the People’s Party unveiled their prime minister candidates. In the 2023 election, they nominated only Mr. Natthapong, but for the upcoming 2026 election, they decided to present three candidates: Mr. Natthapong, Ms. Sirikanya, and Mr. Weerayut, confident in their capabilities. They also promoted the vision and policy "Thailand Not Grey - Thailand Equal - Thailand Up to Date" (read more: )“Natthapong-Sirikanya-Weerayut” Confirmed as Three Prime Minister Candidates of the People’s PartyMoving forward, it remains to be seen whether the People’s Party will secure enough seats to form a single-party government in the upcoming general election. Additionally, the case involving 44 MPs remains uncertain, as Ms. Sirikanya and Mr. Natthapong are among those involved.
