Pumpuang Duangjan (Thai: พุ่มพวง ดวงจันทร์; RTGS: Phumphuang Duangchan), also known by the nickname Pueng (Thai: ผึ้ง; RTGS: Phueng; "Bee") (4 August 1961 – 13 June 1992), was a Thai megastar.[1] She was the symbol of Thai songs culture. She was the singer, actress who pioneered electronic Luk Thung. She is considered[2] one of the most important Luk Thung vocalists in Thailand. The child of poor farmers, Pumpuang had only two years of primary education before her family's plight forced her to take to the fields as a sugar cane cutter.[2][3] Although illiterate, she was adept at memorising lyrics and participated in many local singing competitions. At age 15, she came to the notice of a visiting band by Waiphot Phetsuphan,[4] and from the late 1970s onwards her fame skyrocketed.
Pumpuang Duangjan | |
---|---|
พุ่มพวง ดวงจันทร์ | |
Born | Ramphueng Chit-han 4 August 1961 |
Died | 13 June 1992 Phitsanulok, Thailand | (aged 30)
Other names | Queen of Luk thung (allias) Pueng (nickname) |
Citizenship | Suphan Buri province |
Occupation | Singer • Actress |
Spouse | Kraisorn Leelamekhin |
Children | 1 |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument(s) | Vocal |
Years active | 1975–1992 |
Labels | Azona • Topline Diamond |
Website | [1] |
Today she is remembered for her lyrics, which told of Thailand's rural poor.[3][2] She adapted pleng luk thung (Thai country music) into a dance-ready form known as electronic luk thung. Although loved by millions of fans, her music career was marred by Pumpuang's lovers, managers, and promoters, who deprived her of her earnings, to the extent that she could not afford treatment for a blood disorder that eventually caused her death at the age of 30.[2][better source needed]
In 2018, she was featured as a Google Doodle on what would have been her 57th birthday.[5]