The passing of Neng Mengjai the famous comedian after battling terminal liver cancer that spread to his lungs, before his condition worsened leading to sudden heart failure and subsequent death, deeply saddened his wife, family, and fellow comedians, including his comedy troupe friend "Yern Scorpion," who recently worked with him on March 17. Friends from the comedy circle, including Yern Scorpion, told Thairath Entertainment that Neng was a true fighter who never quit working. Despite his illness, he never took leave and never showed signs of being unwell on stage to worry his audience or friends.
Before Neng passed away on the afternoon of March 18, around 3 p.m., Yern revealed that there was actually a scheduled event that day. He messaged Neng via LINE asking if he was okay and told him to rest if he wasn't feeling well and to focus on recovery before returning to work. Neng replied,
"I'm taking leave today. Going to sleep for a long time." His friend responded, "Do your best, buddy. Sleep well and rest up." Later that night on March 18, Neng's condition worsened, and he passed away early on March 19. "I was with Neng until his last moments. He was a strong fighter who never complained despite being sick. He kept working hard until the end. On March 17, we had to perform at Chuen Yim Chuen Lor in Ubon Ratchathani. I asked him if he was okay before going. He said he was. I told him, 'Are you sure? You don't have to take the bus, just fly there and back because you don't look well.' But he insisted he was fine."
"Every time we met, we'd ask, 'Are you okay, friend?' and he'd answer, 'I'm fine, no problem,' with a smile. On stage, he gave his all and never showed signs of illness, though he might be a bit tired afterward. That day, on the flight back, he had stomach pain and tightness but could still walk as usual."
"I asked if he left any final wishes—he didn’t. But just yesterday (March 18), we chatted on LINE around 3 p.m. I asked where he was; he said at home. I asked if he was okay; he said yes, and encouraged me to keep fighting. I told him if he wasn’t feeling well, to rest first and come back after recovering. I promised I wouldn’t leave him, and he said he was okay. When I asked if he had work, he said yes for that day but then said,
'I'm taking leave today. Going to sleep for a long time.'" I told him, 'Do your best, buddy. Sleep well and rest.' Then today (March 19), I invited him to work. He loved his work. Tomorrow (March 20), he was supposed to travel to Ayutthaya as the work continued. He never missed work. I told him to stop, but he wouldn’t. I told him to rest, but he refused. He wanted to go out, have fun, laugh, and meet friends."
Additionally, the Scorpion troupe friends asked Neng’s fans to continue enjoying his classic jokes, including his impressions of Aang, Toedterng, Ta Wan, and especially the voice of Ajarn Yod. If anyone could mimic Ajarn Yod perfectly, it was Neng Mengjai.
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