Mantana Morakul

Mantana Keartiwongs^[1] (Thai: มัณฑนา เกียรติวงศ์), known by the original name Mantana Morakul (มัณฑนา โมรากุล, RTGS: Manthana Morakun; 30 March 1923 – 8 March 2026) was a Thai singer and actress who became the first female singer and the oldest member in the Public Relations Department band, Luk Krung singer, and the Early Era singer of the Suntaraporn Band. Mantana also was the National artist of 2009 in Performing arts (Thai music – singing).^[2]

Mantana was born on 30 March 1923, at Ban Suan Suphan, resting place of Prapayurawongs (Chao kun chom Marnda pae in King Rama 5). She was the 4th child of Luang Siriratchsap (Chai Morakul) (1896–1961), Officer of The Comptroller General's Department,^[3] and Phan Morakul (née Krueasuwan).

She changed names numerous times; when she was born, his father was promoted in ranks, so Prapayurawongs changed to "Charoen" (เจริญ which means advanced) because she was born with her dad prosperous. Times passed by when Mantana received a chance to play in The Banthomsin band of Phraya Aniruthatewa (Fuen Phuengboon); she used "Saengchamroen." as her name. She sang her first song in 1935, "KhaneungRak" sang along with "Saengsom Saengyakhom". In 1939 she practiced singing with Kru Sakhon Mitranont and later changed her name to "Churee". In 1942 Plaek Phibunsongkhram changed her name to "Mantana".^[4]

Mantana first practiced singing with Mismaccan in the Christian church, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. She started singing Plehng Thai Derm with Kru Cher Buranont (Mother of Sulaleewan Suwanthat); later, she was inspired by Phleng Thai sakon singing of Chamrus Suwoks so she practiced with Sakhon Mitranont, Kru Waes Sunthornchamorn and Sri Yongyuth along with self-practicing.

She studied in Saowapha School (Now known as Saowabha Vocational College) but only learned Mathayom 2 (Grade 8) because of financial problems, so she only practiced singing with Kru Sakhon Mitranont and Kru Pim Puangnark and also played in a show of Charukanok band until getting a chance to record the 4th song in 1939 with T. Ngekchuan store, the music is "Nam Nuea Bah" by Pim Puangnark.

Mantana got a chance to sing at Prince Aditya Dibabha's birthday at Amphorn Sathan Residential Hall, Dusit Palace on 24 July 1940; Mantana was persuaded by The Director General of The Advertising Department, Wilart Ostanont to be a singer in the department, but Mantana was 17 during that time and could not be Civil Servant because she was too young, so she became extraordinary employee first until she matured to required age. She then became a singer and the first female singer of a band.

In her serving times, Mantana recorded over 200 songs, varied from soul-stirring pieces, Compositions by Bhumibol Adulyadej to international-style Thai music; Mantana got a chance to sing "Tewapa Ku Fan" and "Duangchai Kub Kwam Rak" in front of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit in "Marriage Coronation" banquet day at Sa Pathum Palace in 1950, she was one of the first Thai female singers who used Western singing styles. She was also an early era Spokesperson for The Advertising Department; she was a member of the department before resigning from government service in 1951 to marry the love of her life, Bunyong Keartiwongs. She had four children in total.

After resigning from Civil Serving, she started a business alongside her husband, " Sri Phran Nok Cinema" Phran Nok Road, Ban Chang Lo, Bangkok. Until she stopped the business after the cinema burned down; one of the movies she made was " Marn Rak" in 1973; she wrote all the stories and helped sing for television programs until 1945; she completely stopped singing due to health problems. She lived with her children at her house, Thanon Phutthamonthon Sai 2. But still appeared in specific concerts, such as

• "Dao Pradub Fah Manthana Morakul" Concert. Set up at Thailand Cultural Centre, 21 May 1995, her 72nd birthday.
• "Nimit Chai Peang Fan 80 Pii Manthana Morakul" Concert, Set up by Fine Arts Department with The Public Relations Department at Thailand Cultural Centre, 16 November 2003, for her 80th birthday.
• "Yorn Wela kub Manthana Morakul" Concert, at Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre on 25 March 2007, in her 84th birthday.^[5]
• "Dao Pradub Fah Manthana Morakul Sinlapin Haeng Chart" Concert, set up at The Public Relations Department Centre, 18 April 2010, the occasion of being honored as The National Artist (Thailand) in Performing arts (Thai music – singing) of 2009, at her age of 87.

Mantana died at her home in Phutthamonthon Sai 2, on 8 March 2026, at the age of 102. At the time of her death she was the oldest surviving member of the Suntaraporn Band.^[6]

• Selected from Ministry of Culture to be The National Artist in Performing arts (Thai music – singing) of 2009, on 7 January 2010.^[7]

Duang Chai Kub Kwam Rak (Composit of The king), Tewapa Ku Fan (Composit of The king), Wang bua ban, Sin Suk Sin Rak, Bua Klang Beung, Rak Re, Phetburi Daen Chai, Dao Thee Ab Sang, Chulatreekoon, Pratchaya Kee Mao, Sohn Thong Lohm, Wang Nam Won, Pong Chai Rak (Duet with Eua Sunthornsanan), Ah Lai La, Nu Aoei, Ngao Haeng Kwam Lahng (Duet with Winai Chulabutsapa), Mua Rai Cha Pohp, Kra Tai Ngoh (Duet with Winai Chulabutsapa), Plaeng Ratrii, Sarika Chom Duean, Den Duang Dao, Phu pae Rak, Dok mai Kub malang, Dok Mai klai mue, Suam Muak, Chan Kra poh ruang, Thin Thai Yarm, Thang Cheewith, Dok mai thin yarm, Wathanatham, Suan krua, Ngon tae ngarm (Duet with Eua Sunthornsanan), Nam Nuea Bah, Sai lom Kruan, Klom Drun, Satsana Rak, Pa ngerp, Phee Sua yarm chao, Yen yen (Duet with Pensri Poomchoosri), Roi Rak Roi Rao, Huang Nam leuk, Luea Leum, Luea Ahlai, Sahn Rak, Dok Fah Ruang (Duet with Winai Chulabutsapa), Dam Neon Sai (Duet with Eua Sunthornsanan), Thoe Yu Nai, Plean plaeng kham, Sang Rak, Tang Thee Thong klap, Cheewith ying, Pasarak (Duet with Chawalee Chuangwith), Nong Kai (Duet with Supanee Pooksomboon), etc.

Manthana also composed lyrics for songs such as:^[8]

• Wassana Kratai (sung by Eua Sunthornsanan and also one of the favorite songs of Princess Bejaratana Rajasuda)
• Chai Noh Chai (sung by Chanthana Obayawarth)
• Rak mee kam (sung by Winai Chulabutsapa)
• Siang Du wao (sung by Marisa Amartayakul)
• Ratrii Sud Tai (sung by Ruangthong Thonglanthom)
• Saen huang (sung by Bussaya Rangsee)
• Sud Kha Neung (sung by herself)