Born in Vientiane, Thép grew up in French occupied Laos. He was educated in French at the Lycée de Vientiane in Laos and was exposed to French painting, literature and classical music at a very young age. He left Laos in 1967 when he was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York where he studied and earned a degree in Diplomacy with a minor in Art. Following his graduation and armed with eight languages, Thép aspired to become a diplomat for Laos and later to work with the United Nations.

In 1972, three years before the end of the Vietnam War, Thép emigrated to Canada. He settled in Lethbridge, Alberta where he taught French at the University and English as a Second Language to new Canadians to help them assimilate into the new life they have chosen. During these experiences there was still something missing from Thép's life - what he really wanted to do was paint.

Solo Exhibitions

2011 Saaifone Contemporary Gallery, Laos
Tita Maerim Gallery, ChaingMai, Thailand
2010 La Residence Phouvao, LuangPrabang, Laos
Saaifone Contemporary Gallery, Laos
2009 Saaifone Contemporary Gallery, Laos
2008 La Residence Phouvao, LuangPrabang, Laos
Saaifone Contemporary Gallery, Laos
2007 The Avens Gallery, Alberta, Canada
2006 Axis Contemporary Gallery, Canada
Glenbow Museum, Canada
The Alliance Francaise, Canada
2005 Phou Vao Pansea, Laos
Glenbow Museum, Canada
Francis Engelmann Gallery, Laos
2004 Newsom Delorme, Bragg Creek, Alberta