Three women power Thai education
Trinuch Thienthong, who was named by the government gazette as the new minister of Education, is the first woman to head the ministry. With two current deputy ministers in the House – Kalaya Sophonpanich and Kanokwan Vilawan – the government has written a new page in history, as three women now hold highest control of the ministry.
Trinuch was born on September 12, 1972. She received a Master’s degree in Economics from Western Illinois University in 1996-1997. Before that, in 1995, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the US university. She graduated from Assumption University in 1992.
The new minister worked as credit director at Bangkok Bank from 1999 to 2001 and was assistant general manager of SPT Civil Group in 1998 and 1999.
Trinuch has also been a deputy spokeswoman at the Culture Ministry, adviser to then deputy minister of Education Sirikorn Maneerin, adviser to Agriculture and Cooperatives ex-minister Chucheep Hansawat, adviser to former Social Development and Human Security minister Sora-at Klinpratoom, treasurer to the Executive Committee of National Units at the Asian-Pacific Postal Union, assistant secretary of the Tourism Commission, spokeswoman for the Tourism Commission, and adviser to then Labour and Social Welfare deputy minister Ladawan Wongsriwong.
Trinuch, who has been a member of the House of Representatives, Sa Kaeo province, for five terms, is the country’s 55th minister of Education.