The Lute-Voiced Girl: How Jintara Poonlarp Became a Thai Music Icon
In short: Known for her signature bangs and a voice that defines the Isan sound, Jintara Poonlarp has dominated Thai charts for over three decades. From rural roots to international stages, she seamlessly blends traditional mor lam with modern pop, proving that regional folk music can command a massive, global audience.
Born Tongbai Janlueang in the Kaset Wisai district of Roi Et, the artist now known as Jintara Poonlarp has become a titan of the Thai music industry. Her career spans 33 years of performance, during which she has released 50 original albums and 47 singles. Often referred to as 'sao siang pin' or the 'lute-voiced girl,' she is celebrated for her unique identity, characterized by her iconic short hair with bangs. Her musical output is a versatile mix of mor lam, luk thung, and string pop, reflecting a career that began in her early teens.
Jintara’s influence extends well beyond the recording studio. She has appeared in television series like 'Nai Hoy Tamin' and the 2006 action film 'Chai Lai.' Her work has occasionally sparked public debate, such as when her song 'Arlai World Trade' drew commentary for its juxtaposition of the September 11 attacks with pop performance, or when the Ministry of Culture proposed banning 'Tears of a Lieutenant's Wife' in 2003. Despite these controversies, her popularity remains resilient, evidenced by the massive success of her 2018 hit 'Tao Ngoi,' which topped Thai charts and garnered 123 million YouTube views by September 2019.
The singer's path has been marked by both professional evolution and personal milestones. After years with GMM Grammy and Master Tape, she joined R-Siam in 2007, later moving to Cat 9 Studio in 2018. Her academic pursuits also made headlines; she began a degree at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University in 2004 and received an honorary degree from Roi Et Rajabhat University the same year. While reports once speculated about a potential political career with the Chart Thai party, Jintara has remained primarily focused on her craft, continuing to tour annually from September to May.
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