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Seventeen of the Most Popular Thai Singers

Originally published by  Mark in October 2023 and Updated by Beatrice J on May 2024

There are lots of famous singers in Thailand. Some of them come and go like fad one-hit-wonders and others endear themselves to faithful listeners forever with a steady and consistent output.

Most of them remain unknown outside of the country itself, but lots of popular Thai singers get elevated to ‘superstar’ status domestically.

There are many different factions to consider when it comes to Thailand and its musical tastes and offerings. A lot of it comes down to generational preferences and style, and you are likely to get quite varied answers when asking different age groups of Thai people about the best or most famous singers in their country.

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Many people from particular regions like the northeast still tend to be quite traditional when it comes to musical tastes, and so singers of a particular style are more familiar to some cultural groups than others. When taking into consideration the differences in cultural styles between central, northern, southern, and north-eastern regions in Thailand, for instance – think food and linguistic variations — it is easy to see how musical styles and tastes are likely to vary.

Traditional styles of Thai popular music like ‘Luk Tung’ and ‘Mor Lam’ are popular in the Northeast and the people originating from those regions don’t tend to vary their musical interests away from these styles that much. This means that in Thailand you will find ‘Luk Tung Superstars’ who are virtually unknown by anyone who listens to more mainstream sounds.

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On the other side of the coin you will find that younger teenagers listening to modern, mainstream, or even international sounds – especially those in the capital — will favour music and sounds by artists completely unknown to folks in rural regions, as well as many older people.

So the main factors relating to the popularity of Thai singers are the age and the regional origins of their listeners. Thailand is still largely a non-English-speaking nation, so the actual proportion of English language or international music listeners is still fairly minimal, although obviously this is changing as more generations are born into the use of the internet from day one.

But how easy would it be if we really had to try and narrow down a list of the most popular Thai singers — known by the majority of people in the country…? All we can do is try – and there are always singers (as well as actors and other performers) who are ubiquitous to the Thai mainstream.

So what we have here is a short list of popular and well-known Thai singers mostly related to the present day — although some of them have been around for a good old time and have long since become established, household names in Thailand. Others are more recent additions. Either way this is the closest we can get to the top seven most popular Thai singers.

Lisa Blackpink

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The 25-year-old ‘Lisa Blackpink’ is certainly one of the most famous Thai singers around right now. Her real name is Lalisa Manobal, changed from the original Pranpriya, and she shot to stardom as part of the South Korean all-girl Blackpink.

Lisa is considered a rapper, singer and dancer in Thailand, although her career is based in South Korea.  She began her own solo career in 2021 with her own album, which sold record amounts upwards of 700,000 copies in its first week of release. The music video released in conjunction with one of the tracks also broke records in terms of number of views upon release.

Thai pop music doesn’t yet come close to the level of popularity that the South Korean ‘K-Pop’ genre has with teenyboppers, but there is a newer crop Thai R&B-influenced artists and singers arising to compliment the other aspects of the country’s culture, lifestyle, and music.

In December 2021 the singer added catwalk modelling to her resume when she stepped out onto the walkway in Nice as the face for Celine’s summer 2022 collection. Her growing interests in the fashion and cosmetics world have seen her launch her own make-up range with MAC Cosmetics for whom she also serves as an ambassador.

She continues to work as an ambassador for various fashion and cosmetic brands alongside her other projects, which are apparently doing ok – at the time of writing Lisa is the 100^th most-listened-to artist globally on Spotify.

Thongchai McIntyre

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Otherwise known as ‘Bird’ Thongchai, this Thai singer has been one of the most famous and prominent for decades.

Thongchai McIntyre, whose surname comes from his Scottish mixed parentage, is also an actor in Thailand. Despite having been around forever, Bird is still considered by many Thais to be the number 1 superstar in the country. He is certainly one of the most successful singers statistically, with recorded sales of more than 25 million albums. 

Bird is largely known as a traditional, ‘Luk Tung’-style artist, as well as a purveyor of Thai pop which often features strings. He achieved peaks in his musical career in the 1990s, although he didn’t embark on his first international tour until 2010.

Bird actually became the first Thai artist to receive an international accolade, which he got by way of an award from MTV for a movie role. He has also been involved in numerous Thai films, TV, and musicals, not to mention advertisements, and received a KPN Lifetime Achievement Award in Thailand in 2016.

Jintara Poonlarp

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Jintara Poonlarp is popular Thai pop and Luk Tung artist. She originates from the northeastern province of Roi Et, and has had much success with both the Luk Tung and Mor Lam styles that originate from that part of the country.

Jintara has undoubtedly been one of the most popular and consistent artists in the Thai pop-country genre and has released well over 50 original albums. She deals in equal amounts of both styles which endear her to 2 different groups of fans although many of them share the same tastes overall based on region.

She has been known to perform and record with other famous names including Bird Thongchai, in a career that has now spanned more than 3 decades and still continues.

Siriporn Ampaipong

Siriporn Ampaipong is another major Mor Lam and Luk Tung singer originating from the Isaan region of Thailand. She was in fact born into a family of Mor Lam singers in the north-eastern province of Udon Thani.

Most of Siriporn’s songs are typical Isaan-style sentimental ballads that sing the tales of country life and the various struggles and hardships that often go with it. She is an established artist of several decades and has released more than ten best-selling albums since around 2000, making her one of Thailand’s most popular folk singers.

Young Ohm

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Along with the rising number of Thai ‘R&B’-style singers, there are equal proportions of Thai ‘rappers’ coming to the forefront of the music scene. OK not quite singing as such, but we have to move with the times, right?

Over recent years, one of the most prominent Thai rap voices whose face currently seems to be just about everywhere, is Young Ohm.

This Thai rapper has had virtually unparalleled success with his rap-style hits and music videos over the last couple of years or so. His career was seriously bolstered by an appearance in a commercial for watch brand SEIKO and the accompanying music video.

Monkaen Kaenkoon

Image by Suwatchai from wikimedia commons

Monkaen is another typical example of a famous and best-selling Thai traditional-style singer specialising in Luk Tung and Mor Lum styles. He also hails from the northeastern area of from Isaan where he is most well-known and loved.

He performs many popular Thai traditional standards that endears him to older generations of music lovers, and is the son of a couple of previously famous singers in the same style, Thongkham and Somthan Boonkhamchun.

Monkaen has been part of Thailand’s best-selling music company GMM Grammy around a decade, and he has released many popular and best-selling songs and music videos through the label. Although one of his claims to fame is having more views on YouTube than Blackpink, this Thai singer is likely to be largely unknown by younger generations more attuned to Young Ohm.

Peck Palitchoke (Ayanaputra Palitchoke)

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Peck first appeared as part of a Thai boy band known as G-Boyz who were a GMM Grammy act in 2002. The group had moderate success but Peck decided to try a solo career in 2005 with his first single and album releases. His second album came in 2007, and Peck began to cement himself into a solo career, although he briefly joined a trio in 2008 known as ‘Peck Aof Ice’.

Peck continued as a successful solo artist, eventually appearing more and more in various TV roles. He hosted the children’s Disney Club for 5 years and featured in teenage programs like ‘Wake Club’ which endeared to him modern generations. Peck has won a variety of accolades such as song of the year and person of the year for both singing and acting, and he has recently featured in Disney films as a voice actor.

Bird Thongchai McIntyre

Thongchai Bird McIntyre is a famous pop star and a big name in Thailand’s entertainment world.  Born on December 8, 1958, in Bangkok, with a heritage that spans Mon, Scottish, and Thai roots.

Thongchai McIntyre became very famous quickly after his first album came out in 1986. He’s now one of Thailand’s most famous singers, with more than 25 million albums sold.

His musical style, a harmonious mix of Thai pop and traditional Luk Thung, has solidified his status as a superstar in the nation. Beyond his musical endeavors, Bird is also celebrated for his acting prowess, in the TV series Khu Kam and its subsequent film adaptation.

Thongchai McIntyre has won many awards, including Best Singer and Best Actor. Being named a National Artist in 2023 shows he’s still very popular and loved by people of all ages.

Autta

Auttakorn Deachmak, widely recognized by his stage name AUTTA, has emerged as a prominent talent in Thailand’s music landscape. At just 24, he has significantly influenced the industry.

AUTTA is not only a magnetic performer but also a gifted lyricist. His ascent in the music world began with the launch of his initial single ชายหà¸È¨¹‰à¸²à¸¡à¸¶à¸™ on August 19, 2019.

Since then, he has been a dynamic presence, actively participating in music contests and regularly releasing fresh singles. His career continues to flourish, demonstrating his adaptability in both musical performance and composition.

Bowkylion

Known by her stage moniker BOWKYLION, Pischsinee Veerasuthimas stands out in Thailand’s music scene as a versatile artist. She began her musical skills at Mahidol University’s College of Music, and her tenure with SKIPIT from 2011 to 2015 set the stage for her solo pursuits.

Launching her solo career in 2017 with ‘๶Äอา๶Äลย,’ she transitioned from group to solo artist. BOWKYLION’s musical expression is a fusion of her formal training and natural flair. Her music transcends mere listening it’s an experience.

She plays her guitar and makes music that expresses feelings and relationships. Her tattoos show different parts of her life story.

Pop Pongkool

Pop Pongkool is a well-known Thai singer who started his solo career on July 29, 2010. His music includes different styles like pop, rock, and jazz, and many people enjoy it. He’s famous for his gentle singing voice.

Pop has made albums like The Other Side and Human Error that have done really well. He has won a lot of awards for being the best artist in Thailand and Asia, and he was even up for a Grammy. His music is on many albums all over the world, showing that people outside of Thailand like his music too.

Palmy

Palmy, whose real name is Eve Pancharoen, is a Thai-Belgian singer who first caught the public’s attention with her 2001 debut. She’s famous for performing without shoes and her music includes Thai pop, R&B, and rock.

She has a number of albums and live DVDs to her name, and is especially known for her popular song Yak Rong Dang Dang. Palmy has performed all over Asia, including in Japan, Korea, Singapore, as well as in Australia and the UK.

Her distinctive voice and performance style have made her a cherished artist both within Thailand and abroad.

Siriporn

Embarking on her musical voyage in 1984, Siriporn has since risen to prominence as a folk singer in Thailand. She has released eight popular albums between 2001 and 2004, and her music is known for its deep and meaningful themes.

Her impactful pieces like Bow Rak Si Dam, Parinya Jai, and Kid Hod have fortified her status as a pivotal artist in her field. Spanning a career of over thirty years, Siriporn Ampaipong continues to be an influential presence in the nurturing and progression of Thai folk music.

Tai Orathai

Tai Orathai, also known as Orathai Dabkham, was born on March 27, 1980. She’s now a key figure in Thai music, famous for her traditional luk thung singing style. Originating from Ubon Ratchathani Province, she’s fondly referred to as Sao Dok Yaah, a moniker inspired by her first album.

Her debut album in 2002 was a cultural phenomenon, achieving sales of over two million copies within Thailand. Her subsequent albums and singles have further cemented her as a luminary in the luk thung genre.

Tai Orathai’s music tells real stories and has traditional Thai folk beats, which makes a lot of people like her. Her songs create strong images of life in the countryside in Thailand and connect with listeners by talking about common feelings and experiences.

Mike Phiromphorn

Mike Phiromphorn is a well-known musician in Thailand, famous for Mor lam and Luk thung music. He was born on July 8, 1966, in Udon Thani Province, and he loved music from a young age, which led him to a career in music.

Launching his career with the album Kan Lang Kor Lao in 1995, Mike quickly became an enduring figure in Thai music. His songs, often exploring themes of romance and the simplicity of countryside living. Notably, Mike made history as the first Luk thung artist to have his music featured on a Thai Airways flight.

Beyond his musical endeavors, Mike has also explored acting, taking on roles in TV dramas such as Nai Hoy Tamin, where he starred with Jintara Poonlarp, showcasing his versatility as an entertainer.

Natthawut Srimok

Natthawut Srimok, also known as F.HERO, is a leading figure in Thai hip-hop. He’s respected for his creative music and for helping new musicians. At the age of 41, he is a prominent personality in the music world, celebrated for his narrative skill and his receptiveness to novel musical ventures.

Originating from Mae Sai District in Chiang Rai, F.HERO was captivated by hip-hop in 1992, taking inspiration from the American duo Kris Kross. Despite the scarcity of hip-hop resources during his formative years, he was passionate about rap and dance. The release of Joey Boy’s debut album in 1994 was an important moment for him, revealing the untapped potential of Thai hip-hop.

He embarked on his solo odyssey on September 22, 2015, with the single Chujai. Natthawut Srimok, also known as F.HERO, has had a successful music career. He’s been part of different rap groups and has made a lot of music with other artists, showing his unique style.

Waruntorn Paonil

Waruntorn Paonil, better known by her stage name Ink Waruntorn, is a versatile artist in Thailand’s entertainment realm. She excellent in singing, acting, and voice acting. Born in Bangkok on February 23, 1994, she initiated her artistic journey in 2006 with a music video appearance, and later joining and departing pop.

After finishing school at Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration School, Ink focused on improving her opera singing at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts. She re-emerged in the limelight in 2015 as a solo act with Boxx Music and starred in the political romance Snap.

Her debut single Insomnia soared to the top of Thailand’s music charts. By the year 2020, she was honored with the Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Asian Artist. Ink Waruntorn’s career trajectory is a testament to her adaptability and commitment to her art, captivating diverse audiences.