Death of Pov Thoj [News-Thailand/US]
HmongPaper
Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
************************************************************************
Hmong Singer Pov Thoj Dies In Thailand
Annie Vang and Su Thao, Special Correspondents
(Thailand) World famous Hmong singer Pov Thoj passed away January 17, 1999,
amid curious circumstance. According to his wife, Paib Vwj, they were driving
with another couple on the way to see a Hmong healer in the village of Kheknoi
of Phetchaboun Province on the 17th of January. Pov was driving his wife, his
friend Pov Xyooj and his wife to see a healer to help Pov Xhooj. According to
Paib, Pov lost control of his truck and it skidded off the road into a ditch.
From there, Pov lost consciousness. The group quickly found an unidentified
man who helped drive them to see a doctor. On arrival, Pov Thoj was pronounced
dead in the late afternoon of Jan. 17.
Su Thao, his long time friend and business partner was in Thailand on
business and had met with Pov on January 13 and 14. They discussed several
things over those two days. As old friends and business partners they had a
number of things to say. Pov was noted to be very excited about his new movie,
Txhob Yuav Kev Hlub. Su Thao and Pov last saw each other the 14th of January
as Su went back to Bangkok to get ready to leave for California. On the night
of January 17th, the eve of Su Thao’s departure, Pov’s father Va Chao Thao and
Va Lee Thao frantically frantically called numerous hotels and friends in
Bangkok looking for Su Thao. Upon hearing the news of Pov’s death, Su Thao
quickly changed his flight and went back to Kheknoi Village the next day after
a restless night of grief and shock.
On seeing Pov the next day, Su remarked, “It wasn’t anything like the
Pov that I remembered. His face was blue and swollen, his neck was swollen.
There was dark blood from his nose.” The family had already hoisted Pov up on
elevated platform when Su came into town. According to Hmong custom once you
“ce neeg” you could not perform an autopsy.
Su was with a video camera and 35mm camera but seeing his long time
friend like that was so foreign and strange he could not bring himself to shoot
any photographs. “I couldn’t shoot any photos out of respect and also out of
my own shock.”
Many people noted that it was very peculiar that a natural death would
result in his body being so swollen, his face so blue and the abnormal amount
of blood present. Some people close to him do suspect foul play but according
to Hmong custom there could be no autopsy once the body has been “ce neeg”. On
the 21st of January Pov Thoj was buried.
Pov Thoj was born in 1972 in the town of Phousan. He grew up with a
love for music and showmanship. While under the sponsorship of Su Thao of S.T.
Universal Video, Pov gained international fame with 8 music albums released,
two music videos and one movie that was released just this Christmas. In a
relatively short time, Pov’s rich baritone won over legions of fans from
America, Thailand, France and Australia. His music style was termed “country”
and “pop” by Thai standards. His good looks and charisma translated to two
well received music videos.
Many of his fans around the world are still in shock of the news.
Many Hmong music retailers have noted that some fans have come to them weeping
and sobbing for the loss of such a great talent. Over 100 emails have been
sent to S.T. Universal Video asking the question, “is it true?”
Steve Thao, the editor of Hmong Tribune said, “I never met him but I
spoke with him on the phone and I could tell that he was a tender soul and very
good person. It doesn’t matter about the singing the acting, his was a good
heart.”
PaHoua Vue, 19, of Fresno said, “We will surely miss him. People like
him don’t come around very often.”
Pov is survived by his wife Paib Vwj, his son Keng, 5, and his daughter
Nkauj Nou, 2. A fund has been established for Pov’s children.
*******************************************************************
The preceding article will appear in the upcoming February 1998 issue of Hmong
Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
main...@my-dejanews.com
insinuate something mysterious by relating to the issues of autopsies and
such? It's obvious that the guy died from some physical condition since he
was with his wife and friends, driving a car then lost control and skidded
off the road. So why does your newspaper article make it seem like he died of
suspicious circumstances? You should be careful how you portray his death
because you know how gossip travels within the Hmong community and I'm sure
you do not want to exacerbate the suspicious rumors that are already
circulating about his death [see, Kammamhlub's comments earlier]. Please
edit your article before you put it out. Make it objective and strip it of
its suspicious contents. I'm sure the guy died of some unforeseen, but
explainable health complications. Unless you want to create some sort of
legend for the sake of boosting the sale of his cassettes [i.e. for your own
business interests], please allow the guy the dignity of having died under
normal circumstances. That would give his fans peace of mind instead of
solicite more unanswerable inquiries.
Thank you for putting the feelings of your fans before your business interest,
Mai Na
In article <19990211223528...@ng09.aol.com>,
hmong...@aol.com (HmongPaper) wrote:
> The following article will appear in the upcoming February 1999 issue of Hmong
> Tribune. All Rights Reserved.
> ************************************************************************
>
> Hmong Singer Pov Thoj Dies In Thailand
> Annie Vang and Su Thao, Special Correspondents
> On seeing Pov the next day, Su remarked, “It wasn’t anything like the
> Pov that I remembered. His face was blue and swollen, his neck was swollen.
> There was dark blood from his nose.” The family had already hoisted Pov up on
> elevated platform when Su came into town. According to Hmong custom once you
> “ce neeg” you could not perform an autopsy.
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
fo...@mninter.net
providing us with so much current information about Hmong people. Pardon my
ignorance, but I have no idea who is Pov Thoj until now from your report.
Sorry to hear about your friend. I hope you will continue doing good works
and presenting stories from Hmong perspectives. Best wishes.