Family, friends and many fans turn out to mourn beloved actor ‘Por’

WAILS and sobbing filled the air as the family of Tridsadee “Por” Sahawong yesterday moved his body out of Ramathibodi Hospital, where he had battled a severe form of dengue hemorrhagic fever for more than two months.
Tridsadee finally succumbed to the disease on Monday at the age of 35.
His untimely death broke the hearts of not just family members and friends but also a legion of fans.
A large number of people turned up at Ramathibodi Hospital early yesterday to bid him a last farewell, as his body began being transported to his home province of Buri Ram, where his funeral services will be held.
Vanda Chinglek, his wife, tearfully held tight to a picture of her husband as she walked out of the hospital.
Tridsadee’s mother, Pissamai Sahawong, kept patting his head and murmured, while choked with emotion, “Let’s go back home, son.”
His father, two younger brothers and young daughter were also there to take him back to Buri Ram. His funeral services will be held at a local temple.
Patinya Wiboonnan, an entertainer, volunteered to drive the vehicle that carried Tridsadee’s body to the temple.
Before the car left, many fans tapped the vehicle and shouted, “Good luck, Por”.
It took several hours for the vehicle to reach Wat Klang in Buri Ram. Another 1,000 people or more gathered there to say goodbye to the beloved actor.
Tridsadee was known not just for his acting roles but also for his good heart.
“He’s the student we are so proud of,” said Paradee Wongthongcharoen, who taught him at Buri Ram Pittayakhom School. She described Tridsadee as down-to-earth, kind and helpful.
“Physically, he has left us. But he will remain in our hearts,” Paradee said.
Pannatat Wiwatchai, the school’s director, said teachers and students at the school had been praying for Tridsadee’s soul to head to a blissful place after all the good deeds he had done. “We will carry out many activities in remembrance of him throughout the week,” he said.
Mumanai, a 27-year-old Myanmar worker in Ranong province, said she had watched Tridsadee’s performance in so many soap operas and liked him a lot.
“My friends like him too. So, we plan to make merit for him,” she said.
Laotians and Cambodians posted many ,essages in remembrance of Tridsadee on facebook, too.