Comedian Dee Dorkmadan dies

Monchaya Srisawas with a portrait of her late father, comedian Sapha, who died yesterday./ Charnnarong Porndilokrad

Wife Saowapha and daughters Wanwanat and Monchaya said they spent their last moments with Sapha before retiring to bed on Wednesday night. Sapha's nurse reported that his pulse stopped at around 5am. He was taken to hospital but later pronounced dead.

The Comedians' Association of Thailand will host Sapha's funeral at Wat Nualjan in Bangkok's Bang Khen district, with the cremation set for July 12.

"From now we will have to battle on alone, following what he has taught us," said Wanwanat.

Sapha was born in Narathiwat and worked as a government teacher before he began his career in entertainment, initially as emcee of a country music band, in 1975. Sapha became famous after joining a quartet of comedians known as Den Der Doo Dee. He later formed his own comedy troupes and became a standup comedian and a television cohost.

Sapha was voted the chairman of the Association in 1988, and entered politics as a candidate for the Bangkok City Assembly in 2006 under the Democracy Party banner.