Singer and actor Yodrak Salakjai is one of the most celebrated artists in the Luk thung genre, a type of traditional music that is extremely popular in Thailand. Born Niphon Plaiwan on February 6, 1956, in the Taphan Hin distric in Phichit, he lost his father at the age of 7 and left his house to become a singer when he was just 11 years old. For many years, he performed at several nightclubs and restaurants in the Nakhon Sawan province under the name Yodrak Lukphichit. During one of those performances, he was discovered by Thai radio DJ Dedduang Dokrak and later recorded three studio albums that received little to no attention from the press. In 1976, he scored his first hit with the Chonlathee Thanthong-penned "Jod Mai Jak Naew Naa," after which he changed his stage name to Yodrak Salakjai. Throughout his career, he recorded numerous hit singles, including "Hom Tong Non Tay," "Khad Khon Hung Kaw," "Khad Nguen Khad Rak," and "Sam Sib Yang Jeaw," the latter of which has been covered multiple times by local artists of all genres. He passed away on August 9, 2008, a few months after being diagnosed with liver cancer.
