Chaing Mai poet Sangdao Sattaman passes away, aged 73
Northern poet Sak "Sangdao Sattaman" Chaidoungsing has died aged 73 at 11am on Friday due to complications from a fall.
Independent researcher Olarn Ongla said Sak had been admitted to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital in Chiang Mai and treated at its intensive care unit since June 18 after sustaining a serious head injury from falling.
Suffering from a cerebral haemorrhage and having been placed on respiratory aid, his condition worsened after 7am.
Sak's bathing rite will be held at Wat Daowadung in Muang Chiang Mai at 4pm.
Many messages of condolence were posted on the Sangdao Sattaman Facebook page, while SEA Write Award-winning poet and artist Naowarat Pongpaiboon wrote a poem saying Sangdao (starlight in Thai) would securely remain the light of faith in people's minds. Contemporary artist Vasan Sitthiket wrote another poem in tribute to Sak.
Sak obtained a bachelor's degree from Chiang Mai Univerity's Faculty of Education and worked as a teacher in Hang Dong district for 28 years before resigning in 1995 to travel more, write books and campaign for northern Thailand.
His first article, which called on the authorities to take better care of trees being damaged by erosion of the city moat, was written while he was a secondary student and it was published in the Khon Muang newspaper in 1963.
He has been writing articles and books since 1974 under his real name and pen names, including the best known Sangdao Sattaman.
His most famous books include "Kwamrak Thee Ngodngam" (beautiful love) and "Khabot Romance" (romantic rebel).