 His wife, Mi Mi Khaing, was also a scholar and writer.Sao Saimong was the first son of the fourth wife, Nang Daeng, of Saopha Kawng Kiao Intaleng (who had succeeded as ruler of Kengtung in 1895).Early in his life, Sao Saimong was sent to Bangkok to become a novice monk at the Wat Thepsirin in Bangkok, since it was his father's hope that he would eventually become the chief abbot of Kengtung.