Lursakdi Sonakul
Lursakdi Sonakul | |
|---|---|
| เลอศักดิ์ โสณกุล | |
 | |
| 10th President of Kaona | |
| Assumed office 14th February 2014 | |
| Premier | Ananada Keacham Xaisomboun Thonemany Phoumi Kittikhoun |
| Preceded by | Chakthip Khaopa |
| Governor of the Phuko Region | |
| In office 22nd March 2008 – 14th November 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Thanom Chaisurivirat |
| Succeeded by | Uthai Souvanatong |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 24, 1968 Phuko, Kaona |
| Political party | People's Democrat Party |
| Spouse | Korasut Suttikul |
| Relations | Tawatwong Sonakul (father) |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Phuko |
Lursakdi Sonakul (Kaonese: เลอศักดิ์ โสณกุล) is a Kaonese politician who served as the President of Kaona from 2014 to 2022. Formally serving as the Governor of Phuko Sonakul was the first female president of Kaona having been elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018.
Sonakul is the daughter of Tawatwong Sonakul, a politician who fled Kaona following the 1970 coup due to his left-wing beliefs. Sonakul as a result spent much of her childhood abroad returning to Kaona in 1984 where she subsequently studied at the University of Phuko. Sonakul helped run her fathers presidential campaign in the 1990 election and worked as an assistant for him during his presidency. After Tawatwong lost the 1994 election Sonakul entered the private sector as a consultant. In 2005 she returned to Kaona to lead the newly formed centre-left People's Democrat Party (PDP) leading the party to victory in the 2008 regional elections in the capital of Phuko, becoming the Governor of the Phuko region. Her governorship saw an emphasis on reducing corruption and improving public services.
In 2014 Sonakul was elected president after defeating the far-right candidate Sawai Yubamrung of the People's Power Party. Re-elected to a second term in 2018 Sonakuls presidency has seen a focus on building infrastructure, expanding social services and promoting economic development. Under Sonakuls presidency Kaona has seen an improvement in life expectancy, economic growth and quality of life. However her presidency has also been marked by accusations of corruption, alleged internet censorship, and cronyism despite initial improvements at the start of her presidency. Although her presidency began with high approval ratings they have since declined with protests against police brutality in 2020 sending them below 20%. Sonakul was not eligible to run for a third term, ceding power to Kongsampong Khumpai after the PDP candidate lost the 2021-22 Kaonese general election.