Preap Sovath

In this Cambodian name, the surname is Preap. In accordance with Cambodian custom, this person should be referred to by the given name, Sovath.

Oknha Preap Sovath
ព្រាប សុវត្ថិ
Oknha Preap Sovath performing during the 32nd SEA Game in Cambodia, 2023
Born	(1975-01-25) January 25, 1975 Kandal Province
Occupations	Singer Actor Brand Ambassador
Musical career
Genres	Pop, Rock, Folk, Hip-Hop, and Traditional Khmer
Instrument	Vocals
Labels	Rasmey Hang Meas (1997–2020) Galaxy Navatra (2020–present)

Preap Sovath (Template:Lang-km Template:IPA-km; born January 25, 1975) is a Cambodian singer. His career spans nearly 30 years, and he continues to be one of the most well-known artists in Cambodia. He is also an actor, appearing in the movie The Crocodile. He was an audition judge on international TV programs such as Season 1 of Cambodian Idol, Season 1 of Cambodia's Got Talent, and The Voice Kid Cambodia Seasons 1 and 2.

In 2022, he received the honorary title of Oknha via royal decree.

Early life

He was born in 1975, under the Streblus asper Lour. Subsequently, his mother assigned him the name (Khmer: ស្នាយ), which was derived from the tree name from which he was born. He was born during the forced evacuation of Khmer Rouge, during which his mother was forced to walk for 3 days after 12 hours of giving birth to him. He suffered from a lack of food from the moment he was born, which is not different from what other Cambodians experience. In 1977, his father was ordered to work at another place, but he never returned, leaving him to continue his life journey with his mom without his father until the present.

Career

Sovath and his mom were living in Kaoh Thum District, Kandal Province, from 1977 to 1982. Due to poverty, his mother decided to move to Phnom Penh City. On the journey without a home, the mother and son slept in the eaves whenever dusk came. His mother later joined the Army, which supported him in the pursuit of a bachelor's degree in economics after receiving his high school diploma in 1991. His journey to become a singer is unexpected, as he never expected to become a singer. The unexpected journey began in 1990 when he collaborated with one of the most popular artists, Touch Sunnix, and people started to appreciate his talent. Before joining the army in 1992, there was a party at which he sang, which attracted more attention and helped him land a job to sing in the pub at night and work for the army during the day. Due to his passion for music, he joined Rasmey Hang Meas in 1997, where he recorded songs across various genres, including pop, rock, folk, hip-hop, and traditional Khmer music. After spending 23 years with Rasmey Hang Meas, he signed for Galaxy Navatra, where he remains one of the most respected and successful singers in Cambodia.

Family

Oknha Preap Sovath's mother's name is Pho Samnang, and his father's name is Preap Sovuth (he passed away in 1977). Oknha Preap Sovath and his wife, Long Sreymom, got married in 1997. He has three sons, and his musical DNA has been passed down to them, who are all exceptionally talented musicians. This prompted his children to enter the music industry. In 2018, his three sons debuted their first song, កែវភ្នែក, in one of the well-known music productions, Hang Meas, at a very young age. Sovath Monivann was twenty, Sovath Monineak was eighteen, and Sovath Seyreyvuth sixteen. Sovath Monivann joined his father at Galaxy Navatra in 2023, while his youngest son, Sovath Sereyvuth, joined in 2024. Oknha Preab Sovath is well-known not only for his singing and acting abilities but also for being a good husband and father. It is commonly believed that his family exemplifies the ideal of a beautiful family, in which all family members exhibit appropriate behavior and show respect for one another.

Business

Sovath is the owner of a number of businesses, some of which are in the fields of food production, salons, real estate development, and beauty products.

The Preap Sovath Haircut and Salon was the first establishment that he opened for business in Phnom Penh. The salon and barber shop have been in operation for a considerable amount of time, during which they have offered a wide range of fashionable and numerous other services.

Pteas Preap Sovath is a restaurant that serves Khmer cuisine.

His third business is beauty products, such as lotion, body wash, shampoo in hair care, and scrubs.

As a result of the successful development of the property market in Cambodia, he started his own property business, Preap Sovath Investment, which sells different kinds of property, such as land and housing, in Phnom Penh and the provinces around the country.

Life Style

The fact that he has achieved a great deal of success in his life, including his work in the Royal Cambodian Army, his singing career, and his business, does not change the fact that he continues to live a life that is simple. Even though he is 49 years old, he is a physically active person who enjoys working out and practising dancing, which means he can keep his fitness level fairly high. Despite being considered a rich person, he still prefers to eat simple food whose ingredients are widely available in Cambodia, particularly in the village. The food has a variety of vegetables and meat that were cooked by his wife, which helps him maintain his flawless voice despite being 49 years old. He enjoys spending time with his family regularly on his Facebook page. He is also a humanitarian who loves to be involved in social activities to help people in need, such as donating his salary to the government of Cambodia to buy the COVID vaccine, donating money to the Cambodian Red Cross, joining many charity concerts, and many more activities to help the people in need.

Net Worth

One of the most well-known singers, actors, and television personalities in Cambodia, Sovath is also one of the most influential people in the Cambodian entertainment industry, which has enabled him to secure many employment opportunities that make him one of the wealthiest celebrities in Cambodia. His success in his music career with numerous song and album concert performances made a significant contribution to his income, which is estimated at $15,000.00 for a concert. As his popularity grew, it also opened him up for a brand ambassador in many companies such as IZUZU, VIVO, MarganEn Maion, DGB Bank, etc., which estimated no less than $100,000.00 of one company. His significant income comes from his own business, such as the property business of the Preap Sovath Investment Group, the food businesses of The Pteas Preap Sovath restaurant, the Preap Sovathhaircut and salon, and the beauty product which the Preap Sovath brand. Besides this, he owned many assets, such as property in Phnom Penh and in another province, as well as vehicles such as Roll Royce, Cadillac Escalade, etc. While his business is expanding, there are no sources that show the exact number of his wealth, but the estimation is around $40 million to $70 million

Decoration of Honor

Cambodian's First Lady Pech Chanmony (Left) Cambodia's Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet (Middle) Oknha Preap Sovath (Right) During Medal Ceremony in 2023.

In addition to being entitled to the title of "Oknha," which translates to "nobleman," King Norodom Sihamoni has bestowed upon him a multitude of medals of honor in recognition of his contribution to Cambodia. In recognition of his exceptional work in the preservation and defense of natural resources, he was awarded the Dhipadinda or Knight Commander class of the Royal Order of Monisaraphon in the year 2016.

In 2023, he was honored with the Knight Grand Cross class of the Royal Order of Cambodia for his great contributions to the preservation and development of Cambodian culture, as well as his support of Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games and the 12th ASEAN Para Games for the very first time. The Knight Grand Cross class of the Royal Order of Cambodia is one of the highest decorations of honor in Cambodia which was first introduced in 1864 by King Norodom.

Performances

Sovath took part in the MTV EXIT Concert in Phnom Penh on December 12, 2008. The concert was part of a campaign to raise awareness to end exploitation and human trafficking in Asia.

Sovath has performed at the Best of the Best: Live Concert, a concert which has taken place annually since 2004 at Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium and has included performances by Cambodian singers from Raksmey Hang Meas and more. The concert is free to the public; DVD sales cover the costs. He also performed at Best of the Best 2012 on February 14, 2012, at Koh Pich's Concert Hall.

Oknha Preap Sovath has also been involved in many international concerts such as:

• Japan Music Festival – 2003
• Thai-Cambodian Friendship Concert 2010
• Japan ASEAN Music Festival for Healing 2013

Achievements

Year	Category	Institution or publication	Result	Notes	Ref.
2007	Cambodia Best Actor	Top Honor at Cambodian Film	Won	The Crocodile (IMDb-2005)
2012	Cambodia Top Singer Award	Anachak Dara	Won	Sabay Company
2013	Best Male Singer Award	Anachak Dara	Won	Sabay Company
2014	Representation of Cambodia	World Music Awards	Nominated	Monte Carlo Monaco 2014

Logo Brand	Brand Name	Brand Ambassador Institution	Year
	Isuzu	Isuzu-Cambodia	2019
	Vivo	Vivo Mobile-Cambodia	2019

Discography

Album Name	Released	Label
Beam Preah Mok Sbot Kor Min Jer	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Vol.56
Sexy Lady	2005	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Vol.59
Rodern Mean Sneh	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.85
U Better Not Come Home	2005	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.255
So Cool-So Hot	2005	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.276
Last Year	2007	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.324
My Sexy Lady	2018	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.603

Solo albums

Album Name	Released	Label
Soft Rock	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Vol.55
Koa Tnei Pram	2003	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.44
Slight Pain	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.87
Preap Sovath Noodle	2006	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.268
Real Rock	2006	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.316
Early Morning	2007	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.331
Lady	2016	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.530
Ah Neth Meas Bong	2016	Rasmey Hang Meas CD Vol.545

Compilation albums

Album Name	Released	Label
Better Day	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.53
Cham Bong Mean Sen	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.86
Chet Prey Psai	2004	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Karaoke Vol.90
Style Sneh	2005	Rasmey Hang Meas VCD Vol.69

Filmography

• 2005: The Crocodile ("នេសាទក្រពើ")
• 2013: Have You Ever Loved Me? ("ធ្លាប់ស្រលាញ់ខ្ញុំទេ?")

Television

• 2014: Cambodian's Got Talent Season 1 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2015: Cambodian Idol Season 1 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2016: Cambodian Idol Season 2 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2017: The Voice Kids Cambodia Season 1 (coach) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2017: Cambodian Idol Season 3 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2018: Cambodian's Got Talent Season 2 (judge) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2018: The Voice Kids Cambodia (coach) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2018: The Voice Kids Cambodia Season 2 (coach) Hang Meas HDTV
• 2019–2020 Cambodian Idol Junior (judge) Hang Meas HDTV