Success Factors for Thai Women Politicians Approach to Political Participation

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to study the factors affecting the success of entering politics of Thai women politicians, to explore the pattern of participation using political activities of Thai women politician as well as any relevant factors. In addition, it was to create new knowledge in order to understand how Thai women politicians participate in politics sphere. The researcher used qualitative research method by way of analytical narration and gathering and reviewing secondary information from government official records, orders, research paper, thesis and information from sources on the internet as well as collecting primary information via interviews of the relevant individuals. The results found that there were two types of participation by women politicians: formal and informal participation. There were variety of factors influencing the success of Thai women politicians entering into Thai politics, for instance; relevant regulations, support from family, personal interests and abilities, personal capital on knowledge, financial capital from family, previous working achievements, personal financial capital, financial support from the affiliated political party as well as social capital. On the other hands, the hindering factors were social regulation, gender discrimination, lack of perseverance, family obligations and personal political maturity.