Music of Thailand

Map of Thailand

Classical MusicPi Phat Kruang saiMahori Khon

Pi Phat EnsembleMost common Thai classical music

Symbolizes the dancing of Thailand's legendary dragons

Performed inside and outsideInstruments include:

2 Renat – xylophone (with hard or padded mallets)

1 Pi – oboeKlong - Barrel drums2 Kong wong – circular tuned horizontal gong-

chimes

Khrueang SaiIncludes some wind and percussion instruments; however, this is a string-dominated ensemble, typically heard in indoor instrumental settings

String instruments included:so duang – high pitched, 2 string bowed lute

solaw – lower pitched, bowed luteJhakhe – 3 string, plucked zither

MahoriH istoricallyplayed by women in the

courtsa mixed ensemble that often

accompanies vocalists, sometimes in the context of theatre

Combines instruments from Pi Phat and Khrueang ensembles.EXCLUDES the loud and shrill Pi (oboe) Includes so sam sai fiddle – middle range bowed lute

so sam sai accompanies the vocalist

KhonThai classical music that is often used as an accompaniment to classical dance

Phlaeng Luk Thung(literally, “songs of the children of the fields”), a type of Thai “country music” that originated in rural central Thailand

LamwongThe “circle dance” is the most popular form of dance at rural temple festivals and other celebrations. It is typically performed to mawlam or luk thung music.

Khaena traditional wood-and-bamboo mouth organ that has become a symbol of northeastern Thai (and Lao) culture.