Khunying Kalaya

Deputy Minister of Education, Thailand

Khunying Kalaya is a Thai politician. She was appointed deputy Minister of Education in 2019 and currently is acting while waiting for a new government to be appointed and sworn in after the recent general elections in May 2023. She was also Minister of Science & Technology between 2008-2010. She is a member of the Democrat Party and was a deputy leader.

She is a physics graduate of the Chulalongkorn University and received her Ph. D. from the Imperial College of Science & Technology at the University of London. She taught physics for a year at the Chulalongkorn University.

She was secretary and director of the Thai Junior Encyclopedia Project by the Command of His Majesty the King Rama IX ( 1978-2017). Chairperson of the board of directors of Rachaphat Institute at Suan Dusit, a leading Community college in Bangkok. (1995-2007),

She was a founding member of the board of director of the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center ( 1980-2000).

When she was a Member of Parliament she also sat on various sub committee:- National Education Reform; Land, Natural Resources & Environment; Science & Technology.

She is a founder and currently chairperson of the Lighthouse Special Learning Centre of the Foundation of the Welfare of the Mentally Retarded of Thailand under Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand ( Queen SiriKit ) 1982 - present.

She is also the founder and currently chairperson of the Rajapruek institute Foundation which has planted over 20 million trees in Thailand. ( 1986 - present )

She was bestowed King Bhumibol Adulyadej ‘s Royal Cypher Medal in 1987; Companion of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Khao, Level 3 in 1087. Knight Grand Cordon ( Special Level ) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant in 2009.

She is married to Chote Sophonpanich and lives in Bangkok. They have four children and five grandchildren.