Aed Carabao
| Yuenyong Opakul | |
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Yuenyong Opakul or Aed Carabao on August 9, 2009
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| Born |
Yuenyong Opakul November 9, 1954 Suphan Buri, Suphan Buri Province, Thailand |
| Residence | Sammakorn Village, Bang Kapi District, Bangkok, Thailand |
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| Years active | 1979–present |
| Home town | Suphan Buri, Suphan Buri Province, Thailand |
| Spouse(s) | Linchong Opakul |
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| Website | carabao |
Yuenyong Opakul (Thai: ยืนยง โอภากุล; rtgs: Yuen-yong O-phakun; born November 9, 1954 in Suphan Buri) or stage name Aed Carabao (Thai: แอ๊ด คาราบาว; rtgs: Aet Kharabao) is the main singer/songwriter and leader of the Thai rock band Carabao, known for its "Songs for Life".
Yuenyong (Aed) Opakul’s love for music came naturally as he was from Suphan Buri Province, where he could soak up the local amusements of Central Thailand, for example the call and response style of singing, Thai folk music, and even Thai dancing and look thung (Thai country music). It also comes from the fact that his father was the manager of a band. When Yeunyong became a teenager he was influenced by Western-style music, and so learned to play Western musical instruments, like guitar. These were the influences that he had to draw on as a musician.
Yuenyong began primary education at Wat Suwan School, then left for further studies in Bangkok, like other children all around the country. He continued on in his studies at Rajamangala Institute, Uthenthawai Campus, where he majored in architecture. Then he continued in architecture for one year at the Mapúa Institute of Technology in the Philippines. (In 2013, he received an honorary doctorate in Thai Popular Music from Ramkhamhaeng University.)
In the Philippines, Yuengyong Opakul met his friend Kirati Promsakha Na Sakon Nakhon, or Keo, another Thai person who had gone there to study. They had the opportunity to listen to the music of Led Zeppelin, John Denver, the Eagles, and Peter Frampton from records that a third friend, Sanit Limsila, or Kai, had accumulated. All three then decided to set up a band using the name "Carabao" for performing at events at the Institute, playing folk music.
When Yuenyoung Opakul graduated and returned to Thailand, he got a regular job as an architect in a private office and his own work was to be responsible for designing houses and work buildings. Later when Kai and Keo returned from the Philippines, all three were able to play music together again, by playing in the restaurant of the Windser Hotel, 20 Soi Sukhumwit. Then they moved on to play at Hotel Manderin Samyan on Saturdays and Sundays. But all three were fired for skipping work many days without notice.
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Wikipedia