Novelist, songwriter dies
Play
Author and songwriter Cha-um Yaemngam, or Cha-um Panchapan, who wrote the novel "Tat Dao Bussaya" and also the National Children's Day theme song 'Nathee Khong Dek', died yesterday at the age of 92. Her funeral would be held at Wat Makut Kasattriyaram Rat
Cha-um was born on December 6, 1921, in Suphan Buri. She was the eldest daughter of Khun Panchapanpibul, the former governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan and Nakhon Pathom, and wife Krasae Panchapan (Komaratat). Her sibling Archin Panchapan was a writer who won the National Artist award in 1991.
Cha-um served as civil servant at the Department of Public Relations, including being an editor of the Khosanasarn periodical. She also authored plays and songs for Suntrapon Band. While working for the Radio Thailand, she wrote short stories in her free time. One of her colleagues and veteran broadcaster, Chamnong Rangsikul, discovered her file of short stories and sent the story titled “Chan Kub Kamathep” (I and Cupid) to Sattrisan Magazine editor Nilawan Pinthong, leading to its first publication, which launched Cha-um’s writing career.
Cha-um was honoured by the Writers Association of Thailand with the Narathip Award in 2003. She was married to Chamnote Yaemngam.
