Thailand national artist Wangdee “Wang Tae” Nima, 87, died today of liver cancer after being hospitalized in Bangkok for nearly a year.
Mr. Wangdee was famous for his creative use of the Thai language in lam tad, a Thai-style of impromptu antiphonal singing that consists of two groups of singers, depending on sex, with two to three people per group. The style often consists of obscene words with dual meanings and innuendos to draw laughs from the audience.
Mr. Wangdee was named as Thailand’s national artist in 1988 in the field of performing arts, Thai dance. With his band Wang Tae Lam Tad, he symbolized the genre for the last 40 years. He was respected for conserving the tradition and passing it on to younger generations.
Family members have taken Mr. Wangdee’s body back to his native Pathum Thani province for a Muslim ceremony, MCOT reported.
