12-Year-Old Singer Saves $1 Million to Build Home for Great-Grandmother

Tosapol Himphan is proud of his 12-year-old daughter, known as "Phak Bung," who has saved money from singing and performing traditional Naka ceremonies to build a home worth over 1 million baht for her great-grandmother. The project is nearly 90 percent complete and is scheduled to be finished on her 13th birthday, October 17. Tosapol plans to formally train Phak Bung next year to take on full Naka ceremony performances, as multiple event organizers have requested her services. He aims to have her carry on the family tradition of Lam Lom singing and ceremonial work.

Phak Bung has been saving money since she was 4 or 5 years old, earning rewards from singing performances and working alongside her father at ceremonies. She earns between 3,000 to 10,000 baht per event, which she has been accumulating steadily. The home project was something she promised her great-grandmother, now 80 years old, whose original house—built in 1981 or 1982—had become too dilapidated to repair. Tosapol emphasizes that none of the construction funds came from his or his wife's money; all savings are Phak Bung's own earnings from performances.

When asked if working interferes with her schooling, Tosapol says performances are scheduled mainly on weekends, though she occasionally misses school when event organizers specifically request her. He notes that Phak Bung is disciplined with money, often depositing earnings into her personal savings account. Fans and followers admire her filial piety and work ethic at such a young age. The total project cost, including the house and furnishings like air conditioning units, is approximately 1 million baht, with about 850,000 baht already spent.