Young Phuket musicians win national and Asian competition honours

Five-year-old Phuket musician Kirin ‘Khun Khao’ Engchuan has won the 3-5 age-group rock category at the International Music Talent Competition 2026 Asian championship in Tokyo.

Kirin performed Dream On at the competition on 8 August, after winning the same category at the national round in Bangkok in May. The national victory secured his place representing Thailand in the Asian championship.

He is a student at Kajonkiet Kindergarten and Yamaha Music School Phuket. His family said he has been interested in music, particularly rock, since he was two and can memorise song lyrics after hearing them once. He began performing on stage at a young age.

His interest in rock was encouraged after his parents took him to see a street performance by Phuket guitarist and singer Nene Royal and OZONE Band when he was two. He later learnt from musicians at Yamaha Music School Phuket and performed on stage with Nene and the band.

Another Phuket musician, 12-year-old drummer Natthaboon ‘Boon’ Boonrungroj, has won the Children Division championship at Drums Off Thailand 2026. The OZONE Band drummer, also known as ‘Boon Hungry Drummer’, competed in the 8-12 age group and won three trophies from the three categories he entered.

The result earned Natthaboon the right to represent Thailand at the Asian competition in Taiwan in December. He studies at Yamaha Music School Phuket under teacher Chakrit.

The achievements come as Nene Royal, the stage name of 16-year-old guitarist and rock musician Rattikan Amlai, prepares to perform in the Live Show round of America’s Got Talent Season 21 in the United States on 25 August. Nene left Phuket for the US on 19 August with her parents and personal manager after advancing to the Live Show stage.

The three performers are connected to Yamaha Music School Phuket and OZONE Band, linking their competition and television achievements to Phuket’s young music scene.