We’re not voted into parliament because of our gender – Khattiya Sawatdiphol, Pheu Thai Party MP

“When MPs are voted into parliament, they are chosen by the voters and they don’t choose us because of our gender. We’re all here because of our qualifications, because they believe in us. So, once you step into parliament, there shouldn’t be any segregation between men and women.”

Pheu Thai party-list MP Khattiya Sawatdiphol is widely known among Thais as the daughter of Major General Khattiya Sawasdipol, also known as “Se Daeng”, an outspoken soldier and political activist allied with protesters of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship, collectively known as the “red shirts”.

Turning point

Initially a lawyer, Khattiya never thought that she would ever enter politics, despite her father’s wish for her to become an MP for his own party, Khattiyatham, which was established in 2008.

“My father would tell me every day that, if Abhisit dissolves the…