Chalong Phusawang, one of the greatest composers of Thai country music, has died of colon cancer at his house in Chiang Mai at the age of 83.
Jenpob Jobkrabuanwan, a prominent devotee to luk thung music, on Wednesday posted on Facebook that Chalong had succumbed to cancer at his house in Saraphi district. The religious ceremony for him will be held at his residence, he added.
"I was shocked and felt numb from my head to toes when I found out," he wrote. No details were given about the time of death, he said.
Jenpob called him "the god of ฺBang Thorat" in a tribute to Chalong on his radio programme, referring to the place in Muang district of Samut Sakhon where he was born.
Jenpob also praised him for working behind the scenes for the success of several luk thung artists, while he lived a simple life until the day he died.
Chalong was not a national artist because he had been ignored by the country, Jenbop added.
The artist wrote more than 200 songs for several artists. One of the biggest hits was Go back to ask your wife first by Sunaree Ratchasima.
Song Go back to ask your wife first composed by Chalong Phusawang
He was also praised in the luk thung circle for his talent spotting. He transformed Jeeraphan Veeraphong from bus conductor to famous singer, and followed that success by turning garage worker Sornchai Mekwichien into a recording artist.
Chalong was the third composer to pass away in the last few months, following Chalee Intaravijit in May and Sanan Nathee a month later. Luk thung singer Saensuree Rungrote also died on Sept 10.
