Regional Symphony: The sounds of Thailand’s traditional musical instruments

The musical traditions of Southeast Asia have long captivated the world with their intricate melodies, fascinating stories, and cultural significance.

The rich expressions of historical influences, diversity, and spiritual elements make Southeast Asian musical traditions truly unique in terms of both artistry and complexity.

With its wide range of styles and heritage, the traditional music of Thailand captures the hearts of music enthusiasts around the world. Bella Patricio, a music history student and a frequent visitor to the Kingdom, puts it perfectly. “I find Thai traditional music both mesmerizing and profound,” she told Thai PBS World. “It showcases not just the beauty of the music but also the rich history behind the culture. I always feel like I am being transported into another world when I listen.”

The diversity and richness of Thai traditional music owe much to the sounds made by the traditional instruments that captivate audiences worldwide. ‘Thai traditional musical instruments play a crucial role in the artistic storytelling and narration of our rich history and culture,” declared Jack Somsi, a music student at a Thai university. “It is just a pity that many of the younger generation are no longer familiar with some of these traditional instruments, much less know how to play one.”

Local festivals and ceremonies across Southeast Asia help celebrate and preserve local traditions, such as the playing of traditional musical instruments. But while musical preferences in the region continue to evolve, modern influences and contemporary trends attract young people more than the sound of those instruments. “Unless you are also studying music history like me,” Jack added with a wry smile.

What are some of these Thai traditional musical instruments that today’s younger generations need to know more about?

One of the most famous is the ranat ek. “It is the traditional version of today’s modern xylophone,” Toom explained. “It‘s made from bamboo and wood. Depending on how it is played, this traditional musical instrument can create sounds ranging from soft to intense and powerful music. The musician uses mallets to strike the keys, producing rhythmic and melodious musical patterns,” he added.

He also mentioned the klong yao and the klong yai, drums of different sizes that create a resonant sound essential in traditional musical ensembles. “These traditional drums are commonly seen nowadays in parades and ceremonies. The klong yao is a long drum often slung across the shoulder of the player. The klong yai is a large barrel drum and is often used in religious rituals and ceremonies,” he said.

“Then, we also have the saw sam sai. This is a traditional string instrument similar to a violin. It is made from coconut husks and covered with animal skin to enhance the quality of the sound. Producing a distinctively haunting sound, it is traditionally used in religious ceremonies, royal events, and classical Thai music presentations,” he added.

Other instruments include the taphon, khaen, krachappi, thon, and phi.

“The taphon is a large drum played with both hands and used in traditional Thai music and religious ceremonies. The varying sizes of these drums allow different pitches and tones. The taphon is sometimes featured in some pop and rock concerts today,” he revealed.

The khaen, on the other hand, is a traditional Thai bamboo flute and deeply associated with the cultural heritage of Northeast Thailand. Most folk songs and dances from that region are accompanied by the khaen. This instrument is also sometimes featured in contemporary performances, adding a unique and authentic tough to modern Thai musical compositions.

Meanwhile, channeling the modern-day guitar is the krachappi. It is a traditional Thai string instrument characterized by its hollow body and four strings, and typically played using a plectrum. According to Jack, “The krachappi was quite commonly used in the past but it’s rare to see one nowadays. Nonetheless, many music scholars consider it as an enduring icon in the history of Thai music,=.”

The phi, meanwhile, is a traditional bamboo flute with six finger holes, enabling a range of twenty-two tones. Played by blowing into one end and using the finger holes to change the pitch, this instrument adds a melodic layer to traditional Thai music, whether in solo performances or within ensembles.

Other notable traditional Thai musical instruments are the rhythmic drums known as thon, klong teng, and ramanna, the khlui, a bamboo flute, the pi nai, a type of double-reed oboe; and the trae, which is a traditional metal horn used predominantly in ceremonies and processions.

“In order to appreciate the beauty of Thai musical traditions, one must dig deeper into the background and historical context of these art forms. I am fortunate to be able to do this as I am a student of music. Studying the history of Southeast Asian music and the cultural aspects that contributed to their development gives me a profound understanding of the timelessness and significance of these traditions even up to this day,” he concluded.

(This story is part of a series about the vanishing cultural traditions in Southeast Asia.)