It is a welcome news for the Isan arts and culture community when “Mother Angkanang Khun Chai” or “Angkanang Sirimnee”, a famous female artist for a long time, has been honored as the national artist of the year 2025 in the field of performing arts (Maolam-Lamplin).
The results of the 2025 National Artist Selection were announced on 7 September 2026, with all 3 disciplines receiving 12 accolades, reflecting the dedication, creation, continuation and transmission of valuable contributions to the national arts and culture.
For Mother Angkanang, Khun Chai, whose real name is “Thongnang Khun Chai”, was born on February 6, 1958 at Ban Khok Sanet, Chanuman District, Ubon Ratchathani Province. At that time, before Chanuman District was separated from Amnat Charoen Province today, it can be counted that Mother Angkanang was truly Ubon Ratchathani by birth.
Mother Angkanang grew up on the land of Isan and stepped into the artist's path before creating an extensive reputation from singing songs of Malam, Lamploen and Lamlang. The work is well known and in the memory of many generations of listeners, and the art of performing folk in Isan is distributed both domestically and internationally.
Along the way, Mae Angkanang artists have served as creators, broadcasters of culture, and broadcasters of luminary knowledge to future generations, and was recognized as an Isaan heritage artist in the field of performing arts for the year 2012 by Khon Kaen University.
Being honored as a national artist this time is the highest honor in the artist's life and is a testament to Mother Angkanang's contribution to the mulberry industry. As well as preserving and inheriting the valuable cultural heritage of the Northeast to sustain the Thai society.
Ubon and Ubon Ratchathani people would like to congratulate Mother Angkanang Khun Chai on the occasion of being honored as a National Artist in Performing Arts (Mo Lam – Lam Ploen). This is another proud achievement for the children of Ubon City and all the Isan brothers.