Behind The Stage: Jack Thammarat
Finding His Own Voice Through Music
From July 19 to August 7, 2026, the 2026 Igor Paspalj × Jack Thammarat China Co-Headline Tour organized by ENYA Music brought together two world-class guitarists with a full live band, delivering a powerful live experience that blended technical brilliance, expressive melodies, and rock energy.
With more than 35 years of experience as a guitarist, producer, and educator, Jack Thammarat has always focused on finding his own voice through music. From discovering electric guitar as a teenager to winning Guitar Idol in 2009, his journey has been defined not only by technique, but also by melody, expression, and musical connection.
Jack takes us behind the scenes of his musical journey, the ENYA China Tour, and the experiences that shaped his career as a guitarist.
The Journey Behind The Guitar: Finding His Own Voice
Q: You started playing guitar when you were fourteen. What was the first thing that attracted you to the guitar?
Jack: I played acoustic guitar before, but I switched to electric when I was around thirteen or fourteen. At that time, I was listening to punk rock music, and the sound of electric guitar with distortion was so cool. That was the starting point for me. After that, I kept listening to more electric guitar players and tried to find my own way. I think it’s very important to have your own way of playing an instrument.
Q: Is there a moment that made you want to make music your lifelong career?
Jack: The moment that changed my life forever was the Guitar Idol competition in 2009. Before that, I had been working as a session guitarist with many artists in Thailand and doing a lot of touring. But inside, I still had the passion to become a guitar hero. So I decided to stop playing with other artists and focus on practicing and writing my own songs. I won Guitar Idol in 2009, and that was the moment when my career truly started.
Q: You won Guitar Idol with your original piece “On The Way.” Can you tell us the story behind the song?
Jack: The name of the song says everything — I was on the way to doing something else. Before that, I was teaching at a music school and university, but I felt that I wanted to go on stage and play my own music for an audience. So I wrote that song and created every moment, every note, and every transition by myself. I wanted to show the audience who I really am.
Q: You once mentioned that before going to music college, you spent a whole year practicing up to fourteen hours a day. What gave you that kind of determination?
Jack: It’s just happiness. I could do it because I was so happy playing guitar. When you can finally play something that you thought you couldn’t play before, you feel fulfilled. That feeling keeps you going. I practiced every day for a whole year, but the most important thing is that you have to practice and be happy at the same time.
Beyond Technique: Melody As The Heart Of Music
Q: A lot of people say your guitar almost sounds like singing. How did you develop such a strong sense of melody, and why has melody become the heart of your playing — even more than speed and flashy techniques?
Jack: It’s not about technique or speed for me. I love pop music, and I’m still a music producer in Thailand, composing and writing pop songs. Melody is the most important thing to bring the audience into your song. Guitar instrumental music has no vocals, so the melody has to carry everything. I can hear the melody in my head before I play it. I can sing along with my improvisation — it’s the same thing.
Q: Who was your guitar hero growing up, and why?
Jack: My first inspiration to play electric guitar in a rock style was Mr. Pop from Thailand. He is still one of the best guitarists for me. But he never had his own instrumental songs. He played with bands and singers. When I discovered players like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Vinnie Moore, Eric Johnson, and Andy Timmons, I realized that guitar can be like a singer. Even without vocals, you still need to write a great song, not just play. That inspired me to create instrumental guitar music.
Q: What advice would you give to the next generation of guitar players? How can they find their own musical voice instead of simply copying others?
Jack: This is a great question. I think many young guitarists have a problem with the order of their creative process. They go from finger to ear to inside. But we need to reverse that: Inside first, then ear, then finger. You have to know what you want to play before you play it. Hear it in your mind first, then let your fingers do it. Nowadays, many people play with their fingers first and listen later. They can play very fast, but they don’t know how to compose. You have to go back to yourself and ask: what is your goal? If your goal is clear, everything will flow.
Behind The Performance: ENYA China Tour
Q: For some people in China, this tour might be the first time they’re getting to know you. How would you describe who you are, and how has your music journey led you to where you are today?
Jack: I have been doing this since around 2009 or 2013. I have visited many cities in China, not only for performances but also for working with brands like amplifiers and guitars. Some fans from that time might be older now, but during this tour I can feel a younger generation of musicians and guitarists who are discovering my music. They can learn more about me through my biography, Douyin, Bilibili, and WeChat channels.
Q: From the moment this China tour was confirmed until the beginning, roughly how long did you prepare?
Jack: I prepared from the beginning. Since I run a studio in Bangkok, I suggested that the ENYA team hold rehearsals there. Igor comes to Bangkok often, so it was a good place for us to prepare. This was the first time we had a full band with May on drums and Mong. I prepared the set list, sent the songs to May and Mong, and actually reduced my song list because I didn’t want them to work too hard since they also had to play for Igor. Eight songs was enough for me. Some songs are longer because we have bass and drum solos, and my music is about 80% improvisation, so I don’t need to prepare too much for my own part. The main work was organizing the band, rehearsals, and schedule.
Q: After visiting different cities and meeting Chinese guitar fans, what has been your biggest impression of this journey?
Jack: The biggest impression is the energy of the audience. Previously, I used to play with backing tracks, but this time I played with a full band. It is incomparable. Playing with the band gives us much more energy, and we can share more positive feelings with the audience. I can feel that everyone at every show is enjoying themselves very much. I’m deeply impressed by the audience here.
Q: A lot of fans dream about the touring lifestyle, but behind the scenes it’s constant flights, jet lag, and busy schedules. How do you keep yourself physically and mentally ready for every performance?
Jack: This year I’m going to be forty-seven — I’m like an old guy now. When I’m in Thailand, I go to the gym every morning. It’s my routine. After you pass forty, if you don’t work out, you get old very fast and become tired easily. I’ve been touring for more than thirteen years, and I think the most important thing is your health. But for me, the most important thing is positive energy — your mind, your body, and even your soul. We’re playing music, and we need to share positive feelings with people. Maybe on stage I look happy, but afterward I might be physically tired. Still, we have to be the best on stage.
The Chemistry Behind The Stage
Q: This time you’re touring China together with Igor. What kind of person is Igor off stage?
Jack: Cool. I’ve met him many times in Bangkok. We played together there maybe two years ago, and it gets better every time. During the China tour, we hang out together, drink together, and share experiences. Not only about music — we are both fathers too. He has his daughter, and mine is sixteen now. We share everything, including experiences from music and touring.
Q: Musically, where do you think the two of you complement each other?
Jack: When we improvise together, it’s like we speak the same language. It’s easy for us to enjoy each other’s playing. We are almost the same age and share influences from guitarists like Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Igor chose the shredder path, while I’m more into fusion rock. But when we play together, we can lock in easily.
The Guitar Behind The Music: ENYA Sonic JT Signature Model
Q: After playing traditional guitars for more than twenty years, what was your first impression when you tried the ENYA smart guitar?
Jack: At first, I thought the built-in speaker was just like a simple Bluetooth speaker. But when I turned on the smart function with the built-in effects, I was impressed. It responds to my playing very well. It’s not just someone putting distortion into a guitar. Especially the Sonic JT, it has great dynamics in the presets, and the pickup is perfect for me. That’s why I love playing it. It inspires me to play more and enjoy playing more.
Q: What made you want to work with ENYA and create the Sonic JT signature model?
Jack: I’m actually a Super Strat player by background. But when I tried the previous Inspire model, I still felt that I preferred the Nova Go Sonic shape — the feeling, the response, everything. At that time, the Sonic just fit me better than the Inspire.