Thai Cast and Musician Biographies

Dancers

• Pranisa Boonkhaml
  Pranisa graduated from Harvard Graduate School of Design in 2001. She is now working as a landscape designer in Boston. Pranisa started learning piano at the age of 8, 2 years before she began her Thai traditional dance lessons. Later on, she has also played other instruments, including clarinet, saxophone and guitar. Although more involving with western instruments, she is always fascinated by Thai traditional music and dances. Pranisa was very excited to join TSMIT for the first time in the 'Thai Night 2002' and continue performing with TSMIT in many other events afterward. And that is when she says..... 'This is what I really like to do' !! :)
  
  
• Korntipa 'Tip' Boonyasatian
  Tip is a senior at Berklee College of Music majoring in Songwriting. She has joined Thai Student at MIT since May 2002. She has performed Thai classical dance with Thai club at MIT, Berklee College of Music, Harvard and Boston Thai Association.
  
  
• Virat Chatdarong
  ‘I am originally from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. In 2000, I received the King ‘Anada Mahidol’ scholarship to pursue the graduate degree at MIT in the topic about water resource management. At the present, I am a Ph.D. candidate at the Parsons Laboratory, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, MIT. I enjoy taking pictures, working with computer and serving the internet. I do not have much experience about dancing since this is my first time, but I will do my best. Thanks to all of my professional-dancer friends at TSMIT, especially Watjana L. and Panitarn W.
  
  
• Jessica Chinsomboon
  - ‘My name is Jessica Chinsomboon, I'm currently a sophomore in Biology at MIT. Even though I'm half Thai, half Cantonese, I've lived in Thailand all my life. I don't really have much Thai dancing background but I've learned a lot ever since I’ve come to MIT. It is an honor to be part of the Ramayana performance and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.’.
  
  
• Samerkhae 'Nok' Jongthammanurak
  - ‘My name is Samerkhae Jongthammanurak. I usually go by “Nok”, which in Thai means “a bird”. I was born and raised in Bangkok, Thailand, which also has been called the Venice of the East. One of my most memorable experiences in my childhood is taking a long-tailed boat from school to home with my parents. It was quite an exciting ride! Currently, I am working towards a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. After graduation, I would like to travel for a while before returning to work in Thailand.’
  
  
• Piyatida Hoisungwan
  - ‘I'm a graduate student majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT. My first experience in performing Thai dance was during the Loykrathong event (Thailand’s festival of light) organized by TSMIT in 2003. I'm really grateful to Waty, Naan and Tip for encouraging and training me in the art of traditional Thai dancing. I also have a wonderful time being involved in these activities, with many of my friends, during the numerous rehearsals and the performance itself.’
  
  
• Watjana 'Waty' Lilaonitkul
  Waty is a graduate student in electrical engineering and computer science at MIT. She spent parts of her childhood in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore and the United States. While growing up, she has always been fascinated with Thai cultural arts. She began to study Thai dancing while in college and it is in her opinion that everyone should give it a try!
  
  
• Chalida 'Aey' Nakornchai
  Aey is a sophomore in Chemical Engineering Department at MIT. She started learning Thai dancing in elementary school and continued doing so since then. She performed in various occasions at MIT such as Grains of Rice and I-Fair. She is delighted to be part of this show and hope you all enjoy it.
  
  
• Wanida Pongsaksawad
  Wanida is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. She has been trained to perform Thai dance by Watjana, Panitarn, and Korntipa for several cultural shows at MIT since 2002.
  
  
• Chaiyod Soontrapa
  - ‘This is my first time dancing "Khon" on the stage. So I hope that my decent "Khon" dance will give you a glimpse of how the real Thai "Khon" dance looks like. However, I am an active numismatist and philatelist. If you want to sell any old coins, stamps, and paper money, I am buying!!!’
  
  
• Aroonrath 'Jane' Sangalungkarn
  - ‘Hi my name is Jane Sangalungkarn. I'm a junior in Economics and Biology, minoring in Biomedical Engineering at MIT. In my free time, I like to relax at home (that includes sleeping in), or go out to eat great food with friends. I really love playing Thai instruments and performing Thai dance, and I hope you will enjoy the show as much as we enjoy making it!’
  
  
• Aroonsiri 'June' Sangarlungkarn
  - ‘I am a junior at Harvard College concentrating in Economics. I am also a premed and an ophthalmologist-wannabe. I look Chinese but I’m absolutely 100% Thai at heart. I love love love ballroom dancing and singing, although I’m not necessarily good at them =)’
  
  
• Ratchatee Techapiesancharoenkij
  Ratchatee is from Bangkok, Thailand. He is a 4th year graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering at MIT. He earned his bachelor degree at Northwestern University, Evanston IL. He helped organize several TSMIT cultural shows. However, this is his first participation on stage. The last time (and the first time) he appeared on stage was when he played as a stand-still narrator in a show with his Grade 4 classmates. His hobby is any sports-relevant activities. His favorite sports are soccer and basketball.
  
  
• Nij Tontisirin
  Education: 2004 GSD student, MUP program.
  2002 Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
  1997 Triam Udom Suksa School, Bangkok, Thailand
  Thai dance experience: None but interested
  
  
• Chalin Tulyathan
  Chalin is a sophomore at MIT and is from Southern California. He is majoring in economics.
  
  
• Chakrapan Tuakta
  Name: Chakrapan Tuakta (Ob)
  DoB: 11/16/80
  Study: MEng in course 1
  
  
• Panitarn 'Nann' Wanakamol
  Naan is a graduate student in Materials Science and Engineering. She grew up in Chiangmai, a northern province of Thailand, where she started practicing Thai dance and music. She has continued her interest in Thai art throughout her years in the US by performing in several cultural events at MIT.
  
  
• Warit 'Peng' Wichakool
  Peng is currently a graduate student in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He is interested in music in general and excited to perform this dance for the first time. Enjoy!
  




Comments and questions to natya-exec[at]mit.edu