Yodrak Salakjai

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Yodrak Salakjai, born Niphon Praiwan on February 6, 1956, in Phichit, Thailand, was a famous Luk thung singer and actor. He was nicknamed Aew. He grew up very poor as the youngest of eight children. His father died when he was seven, and he left home at age 11 to become a singer. He started with the Ked Noi Watthana Ram Wong Band, earning only a few baht, and later sang in nightclubs in Takhli, Nakhon Sawan, where a radio DJ named Dedduang Dokrak heard him and invited him to perform on stage. His first stage name was Yodrak Lukphichit, and he recorded three albums but did not become popular yet.

In 1976, the song Jod Mai Jak Naew Naa, written by Chonlathee Tharnthong, made him famous. He then changed his stage name to Yodrak Salakjai. Over 36 years, he sang about 4,200 songs and acted in films such as Crime Kings (1998). One of his best-known songs, Sam Sib Yang Jeaw, has been re-recorded by many artists in many genres.

He studied at Thonburi Teacher's College. He also served as a police corporal, named Niphon Praiwan. He was married to Ladda Praiwan and had one son. In 2008, a health check found liver cancer, and he chose not to seek treatment. He died in Bangkok on August 9, 2008, at the age of 52.