Pop singer legend Thitima dies aged 54
Thitima “Waen” Suttasunthorn, a popular singer who helped define the Thai pop-music landscape in the 80s and 90s and remains an inspiration for many young singers, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. She was 54.
Thitima was survived by her husband, Banjerd Krisnayuth, and her daughter Temfah.
Her death came just days before a fundraising concert to support her family. Scheduled for Monday, it will be one of the largest gatherings of nearly 100 Thai singers and will proceed as planned.
Thitima was born on Sept 4, 1962. She studied at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Mass Communication, and her first recording, in 1984, was a soundtrack for the film Wai Rareng (Wild Youth). Her talent was spotted by legendary producer Rewat Putthinan who signed her with GMM Grammy, a major record label.
Thitima was catapulted to national fame through her bluesy ballads and pop-rock singles such as Diary See Daeng (The Red Diary), Fah Yang Mee Fon (The Sky Still Has Rain), and Rao Mee Rao (We Have Each Other). Her 1988 album Sanying Sanya went double platinum, selling close to a million, a rare feat in those days.
But it was her rocker persona and confidence that made Thitima stand out apart from the familiar image of most female Thai singers.
Her music was a soundtrack for millions of Thai teenagers who grew up in the 80s and 90s, and her posters adorned countless music stores and adolescents’ bedrooms.
Thitima was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. Treatment improved her condition, but she relapsed and the disease spread to her bones and intestines. She was being treated at Siriraj Hospital when she passed away.