Fifty original albums and 47 singles define the extensive discography of Jintara Poonlarp, a prominent performer in the Thai luk thung and mor lam genres. Recognizable by her signature short hair with bangs, she has navigated a career spanning over three decades, bridging traditional rural Isan musical styles with contemporary Thai pop music through both solo work and high-profile collaborations.
Early Background and Origins
Born Tongbai Janlueang in Kaset Wisai, Roi Et province, the artist underwent a name change to Tongbai Poonlarp following her parents' marriage registration. While some sources cite 1971, official identification and personal records indicate a 1969 birth date. Raised in the Isan region of Thailand, she adopted the stage name Jintara Poonlarp and embraced Buddhism, later pursuing higher education at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University in Bangkok, where she enrolled in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
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Her performance career commenced during her early teenage years, eventually leading to a significant output of recordings for GMM Grammy and the Master Tape label. Her repertoire balances luk thung and mor lam, often utilizing titles such as Luk tung sa on and Mor lam sa on for her VCD and CD releases. She gained national reach through collaborations with Thongchai McIntyre on tracks like Faen Ja and Ma Tammai, which successfully integrated string pop elements. Beyond her studio work, she maintains an annual touring schedule from September to May, including performances in North America and Europe.
Public Reception and Discographic Milestones
The singer’s catalog has occasionally invited commentary regarding its thematic range. Her song Arlai World Trade addressed the September 11, 2001, attacks, while the Ministry of Culture reviewed Tears of a Lieutenant's Wife for potential state media bans in 2003. She experienced a resurgence in popularity between 2018 and 2019 following the release of Tao Ngoi, which reached the top of Thai music charts and accumulated over 123 million YouTube views. Having previously recorded for R-Siam until 2017, she transitioned to the Cat 9 studio in 2018.
Acting and Public Life
Outside of her music career, she has engaged in television and film roles. Her television debut occurred in the 2001 series Nai Hoy Tamin, which depicts historical life in the Isan region. In 2006, she participated in the action film Chai Lai, also known as Dangerous Flowers, where she portrayed a member of a female crime-fighting unit. Additionally, she received an honorary degree from Roi Et Rajabhat University in October 2004 and was at one point associated with potential political candidacy for the Chart Thai party.
Fast facts
- Born: 6 March 1969, Kaset Wisai, Thailand
- Stage Name: Jintara Poonlarp
- Nickname: Jin
- Epithet: Sao siang pin (lute-voiced girl)
- Musical Genres: Luk thung, mor lam, pop
- Academic Honor: Honorary degree from Roi Et Rajabhat University
- Religion: Buddhism
- Film Role: Dangerous Flowers (2006)
Questions readers ask
What is the meaning of her nickname, sao siang pin?
It translates to lute-voiced girl.
Did she pursue a career in politics?
There were reports of her considering a run as an MP for the Chart Thai party, but she did not stand for the 2005 election.
