Big-hearted actor ‘Por’ dies after long struggle in hospital
AFTER a months-long, heartbreaking battle against a severe and rare form of dengue haemorrhagic fever, popular TV actor Tridsadee “Por” Sahawong died yesterday. His death will be felt deeply by the many people who remember him not just as a great entertai
Born on January 23, 1980, Tridsadee came down with severe DHF symptoms last November.
Fans began praying for his recovery. They offered moral support to him and his family as he underwent surgery after surgery including a foot amputation and the removal of a lung at Ramathibodi Hospital, where medical specialists from different fields came together in a bid to save his life.
Messages of remembrance flooded social media yesterday with #RIPPOR. In addition to his fans, many celebrities who worked with him expressed condolences and bade him farewell.
Actress Sunisa Jett wrote on Instagram: “I miss your virtues … I miss your generosity … I miss the jokes you made to make us laugh at filming locations every morning … Please have a good rest … with Love and Respect ka RIP.”
Napapa Tantrakool, another actress at Channel 3, said online that she had known Tridsadee for 10 years and “You were always a good and nice bro. I will love you always.”
Like Napapa, Tridsadee was a member of Channel 3’s so-called Power Three young talents. He rose to prominence as an actor after he won the Cleo Man award in 2004.
Tridsadee was hailed as a “country” actor for his down-to-earth personality and family background. He was never one to share his private life with the public, particularly details of his romantic relationships.
As such, he never had much to say about his relationship with a former anchorwoman at TrueVisions, Vanda Chinglek.
After Tridsadee had spent a few days in Ramathibodi, his wife appeared with a little girl in tow who was later confirmed to be his daughter Phakhwan, or Mali (Jasmine).
Tridsadee’s manager, who is also his uncle Sornmontra “Nam Oy” Pichaisornphlaeng, explained that Tridsadee and Vanda mar?ried a few years ago (Mali is two years old) but his wife preferred to stay out of the limelight. In fact, he said that before Tridsadee became ill he had planned to present his family to the public this month.
After he became sick, the scores of people pulling for him increased after reports of his generosity circulated online. Among the good causes he supported was Ramathibodi Hospital, helping to raise funds for it.
In another act of generosity, Tridsadee let farmers grow rice on a 200-rai (32-hectare) plot he owned because he could not cultivate it himself. He also cared about animals, often visiting a home for abandoned dogs and bringing with him food and otherwise helping to attend to their well-being. One lucky pooch was adopted by the TV star. The World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) named Tridsadee its ambassador.
More evidence of his compassion came in news that the actor had expressed an intention to donate his organs after his death.
Ramathibodi Hospital director Dr Surasak Leela-udomlipi said Tridsadee succumbed because of many organ failures. “His condition worsened significantly during the past few days. Our medical team discussed his condition with his family all along,” he said.
The bathing rite for Tridsadee will be held at 4pm at Wat Klang in Buri Ram, his home province, today, with prayers to follow at 7pm. The cremation will be held on Sunday.
Tridsadee played a leading role in “Sao Noi Roi Laan” TV series, which airs on Channel 3 from Monday to Friday at 7.05pm.
