Sampow Triudom, a co-composer of the Asean anthem, passed away last Sunday at his home in Bangkok after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 59 and is survived by two brothers and a sister.
Sampow, fondly called Nok by his family and friends, co-composed The Asean Way, leaving a lasting musical legacy for over 600 million people in the regional bloc.
He was born in Bangkok and relocated with his parents a few times. He grew up in the Dhanarat Army Camp, attending Hua Hin Witayalai School in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. His family later moved to Chiang Mai where he attended Sankampaeng High School and eventually enrolled in Payap University's Music Department.
His musical talents -- oboe, guitar, piano, singing and songwriting -- won him a scholarship to play the oboe under the tutelage of revered Prof Joseph Robinson at the Manhattan School of Music, New York.
Upon his return, he landed a position as First Oboe in the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) while teaching choral singing at St John's College. Upon leaving the RBSO in 1997, he became an independent songwriter before settling down as a full-time lecturer in commercial music at Silpakorn University where he also studied for a master's degree.
His catalogue of works is highlighted by The Asean Way, the creative piece he co-wrote with Kittikhun Sodprasert and Payom Valaiphatchra.