Composer of 'Saraburi Ram Wong' Dies at 92
Somchit Kachardee, composer of the beloved folk song "Saraburi Ram Wong," died at 92 in his Saraburi province home on September 2. The distinguished artist's 1977 composition celebrating the province's districts became a nationwide hit and
Saraburi province has lost an important cultural and media figure with the passing of Somchit Kachardee, a folk music composer and author of 'Saraburi Ram Wong,' on September 2, 2569, at age 92 at his home in Phra Phutthbat district, surrounded by family and loved ones. Somchit was a native of Phra Phutthbat who excelled in language, classical and modern Thai verse composition, and folk music. He served as a local administrator, worked as a journalist for Thai Rath newspaper, and edited the Phra Phutthbat newspaper. He was honored as a distinguished artist of Saraburi province.
His most celebrated work, 'Saraburi Ram Wong,' was composed in 2520 and weaves together stories and names of the province's districts into a popular folk song that spread nationwide and was performed by orchestras and parade floats at celebrations across Thailand. He also won first prize for the song 'Khlui Kruang' and received a Certificate of Appreciation and Medal of Honor from Princess Sirindhorn on October 22, 2536.
His youngest son, Putsadee Kachardee, revealed that Somchit had suffered from kidney disease, high blood pressure, and prostate issues, which he managed for about a year until August 2569, when his legs weakened and he lost his appetite. He passed away peacefully at home on September 2 at 9:05 a.m. The body will be kept at Phra Phutthbat Hospital pending the merit-making ceremony scheduled for Sunday, September 6, with a cremation service planned for Saturday, September 12 at approximately 4 p.m.
Putsadee noted that besides his journalism work, his father was a prolific songwriter and composer who took great pride in the royal award for 'Khlui Kruang' presented personally by Princess Sirindhorn. Every morning, Somchit would compose verses and submit them to a radio station program for broadcast, and he would listen faithfully each day. He was also known for his skill at improvised verse recitation and won numerous awards throughout his life. When three new districts were added to Saraburi province—Don Phud, Wang Muang, and Chaloem Phrakiat—he expanded 'Saraburi Ram Wong' to include all 13 districts, leading to nationwide fame and great pride among locals.
