Sura Intamool
สุระ อินตามูล

Sura Intamool is a lecturer in the English Department of the Faculty of Humanities at Chiang Mai University, Thailand. He obtained his B.A. in English from Chiang Mai University, M.A. in Comparative Literature from Chulalongkorn University, and M.A. in Theatre from Miami University. His research interests lie in Western theatre, Thai traditional theatre and literature, as well as gender identities and performativity in Thai society. Two publications related to these interests are “Queer Performance, Queer Performers: the Shaping of Thai Queer Identity Through Lakhon Nok” (2016), written in English in Chiang Mai University Journal of Fine Arts, and “Spirit Mediumship of Phi Chaonai: An Open Space of Gender Diversity in Lanna Society” (2013), written in Thai in the book Cultural Pluralism and Sex/Gender Diversity in Thailand published by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre. In 2022, with support from the NUS-HYI Joint Scholarship Program for Ph.D. Studies, he earned the Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies of the Department of English, Linguistics, and Theatre Studies at National University of Singapore. His dissertation topic is “Lakhon Nok Baep Luang: Change and Continuity within an Institutionalised Genre of Thai Theatre,” exploring lakhon nok baep luang, a genre of Thai traditional theatre. Originated as a folk form, the genre has been reshaped, preferred within courtly circles, and preserved as a nationally celebrated theatre. Within Thailand’s education system for traditional arts, genders, and social media platforms, lakhon nok baep luang has been institutionalized. The discussion of the genre also offers possible insights into contemporary issues of Thai society: monarchical nationalism, compulsory heteronormativity, patriarchy, familial relationships, and hierarchy.