Suthep Wongkamhaeng facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Suthep Wongkamhaeng
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| สุเทพ วงศ์กำแหง | |
Suthep in 2009
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| Born | 12 May 1934 Sung Noen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
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| Died | 27 February 2020 (aged 85) Bangkok, Thailand
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| Nationality | Thai |
| Occupation | Singer, columnist, politician |
| Years active | 1953–1993 |
| Known for | Famous singer of luk krung music |
| Spouse(s) | Pussadee Anakkhamontree |
| Children | Ritthikrai Wongkamhaeng |
Suthep Wongkamhaeng (Thai: สุเทพ วงศ์กำแหง) was a very famous Thai singer. He was born on May 12, 1934, and passed away on February 27, 2020. He was one of the most well-known male singers of the luk krung music style in the 1950s.
Suthep recorded over 3,000 songs during his forty-year career. In 1990, he was named a National Artist. This is a special title given to people who have made great contributions to Thai culture. Besides singing, he also wrote for newspapers and was a politician. He even served a short time in the Royal Thai Air Force. People often called him "the Frank Sinatra of Thailand" because of his smooth singing voice.
Contents
Early Life and Becoming Famous
Suthep Wongkamhaeng was born in Sung Noen District, which is in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. He grew up in a big family. His father left before he was born. Suthep went to several schools in Nakhon Ratchasima. Later, he moved to Bangkok to study visual arts at the Poh Chang School of Arts. He finished his studies there in 1950.
After school, Suthep worked as a sign painter for about two years. Then, a friend asked him to act in a radio play. This led him to meet a famous songwriter named Salai Krailert. Suthep decided to leave painting and become Salai's student. He started singing during breaks in the radio plays.
He met other important composers, like Pruang Chuenprayoth. Pruang gave Suthep his first chance to record a song called "Duangchai Thi Ro Khoi" ('Awaited Sweetheart'). But it was the song "Rak Khun Khao Laeo" ('Falling in Love with You') that made him truly famous. This hit song came out in 1954 when Suthep was just 19 years old.
Career Highlights and Later Years
Suthep became very popular after his first big hit. He recorded many songs and performed live for movies, TV shows, and stage plays. In 1955, he had to join the military. He became a singer for the Royal Thai Air Force's band. He even traveled to China in 1957 as part of a cultural exchange.
However, when a new government took over in Thailand, Suthep was accused of being a Communist supporter. He had to go to Japan and studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts for three years. After that, he was allowed to return to Thailand and continue his singing career.
In 1967, Suthep started writing for magazines about music. By 1970, he began writing about politics for major newspapers like Thairath. When the government changed in 1973, he joined a political party called the New Force Party. He tried to get elected to parliament but didn't win at first. Later, in 1979, he was elected to represent Nakhon Ratchasima. He served in parliament again from 1988 until 1991, when he retired from politics.
Suthep married Pussadee Anakkhamontree in 1967. They had one son named Ritthikrai.
Suthep continued to be active even into his 80s. In 2019, he had a stroke and a blood infection. He passed away at his home in Bangkok on February 27, 2020, at the age of 85.
Music and Achievements
Suthep recorded more than 3,000 songs during his career, which lasted from 1953 to 1993. He was known as the "king of luk krung" music. Luk krung is a style of Thai music that was influenced by big band jazz. People also called him "the Frank Sinatra of Thailand" because of his smooth, gentle singing style.
Besides "Rak Khun Khao Laeo", some of his other famous songs include "Luk Kamphra" ('Orphan'), "Phit Thang Rak" ('Wrong Way to Love'), and "Thoe Yu Nai" ('Where Are You?'). His voice was described as being as smooth as "silk rubbed against beer foam." He also acted in several movies and sang their main theme songs. After he retired, he became the president of the Singers Association of Thailand.
In 1990, Suthep was honored as a National Artist for his amazing contributions to modern Thai music. He also received many other awards, including five royal Golden Record awards. In 2000, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Ramkhamhaeng University. In 2005, he was given the military rank of pilot officer.
See also
In Spanish: Suthep Wongkamhaeng para niños
