Traditional instrument player Kong Nai in critical condition

Cambodia communication　No.23/82
November 10th

Kong Nai (78), a well-known player of the traditional Cambodian musical instrument Chapai, was found to be in critical condition. The Khmer Times reported on November 10th.

According to the newspaper, Kong Sanforth, one of Kong Nai’s children, said of his father, “He is currently in critical condition. His symptoms have worsened for the past three or four days and he is unable to eat.” Kong Nai is receiving medical treatment at her girlfriend’s home, including receiving an intravenous drip.

Although Kong Nai lost his eyesight due to an illness as a child, he became a master of playing the chapai and received high acclaim both at home and abroad. He is also known as the “Ray Charles of Cambodia.” In 2001, he was certified as a “Chapai Master” by the Cambodian government, and in 2017, he received the Fukuoka Ministry of Asian Culture’s Arts and Culture Award.

Recently, in collaboration with popular rapper Vanda, he produced a music video that combines traditional and modern music set at the National Museum. It garnered attention with over 100 million plays, the most for Cambodian music.