Yollada "Nok" Suanyot ( th, เกริกก้อง "นก" สวนยศ; birth name: Krirkkong Suanyos; born June 18, 1983) is a Thai politician and celebrity. On May 27, 2012, she was elected to represent Mueang Nan District on the Provincial Administration Organization for Nan Province in

Thailand Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...

, running as an

independent politician An independent or non-partisan politician is a politician not affiliated with any political party or bureaucratic association. There are numerous reasons why someone may stand for office as an independent. Some politicians have political views th ...

. Previous to entering politics, Suanyot had been a model and beauty queen, and was a member of the pop group

Venus Flytrap The Venus flytrap (''Dionaea muscipula'') is a carnivorous plant native to subtropical wetlands on the East Coast of the United States in North Carolina and South Carolina. It catches its prey—chiefly insects and arachnids—with a trapping ...

, where she performed under the name "Nok". Suanyot is a

transgender woman A trans woman or a transgender woman is a woman who was assigned male at birth. Trans women have a female gender identity, may experience gender dysphoria, and may transition; this process commonly includes hormone replacement therapy and so ...

and founded and chairs the TransFemale Association of Thailand, which advocates for transgender rights. Because of the lack of legal recognition for transgender people in Thailand, her male name as designated at birth has appeared on the ballot. Suanyot graduated with a science degree from

Thammasat University Thammasat University ( Abrv: TU th, มธ.; th, มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์, , ) is a public research university in Thailand with campuses in Tha Phra Chan area of Phra Nakhon District near the Grand Pala ...

when she was 21, holds a master's degree in political science, and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in social science at

Ramkhamhaeng University Ramkhamhaeng University (RU) ( th, มหาวิทยาลัยรามคำแหง) is Thailand's largest public university. It was named in honour of King Ramkhamhaeng the Great of Sukhothai. The university provides an effective and e ...

References

External links

TransFemale Association of Thailand
Yollada Suanyot Yollada Suanyot Yollada Suanyot Yollada Suanyot Transgender women politicians Transgender female models Living people 1983 births Transgender women musicians Yollada Suanyot {{lgbt-activist-stub