Since ancient times, the Thai people have known how to make musical instruments or to copy the patterns of others and adapt them to their own uses. In fact, there are several kinds of musical
instruments which the Thais apparently devised before they came in contact with the culture of India, which was widespread in Southeast Asia before they migrated there.
Later, when the Thai people were establishing their kingdoms and had come into contact with Indian culture, particularly with Indian instruments which the Mon and Khmer cultures had absorbed first, they assimilated this musical culture into their own.
From this contact, the Thais created several new kinds of musical instruments such as the phin, sueng, pi chanai, krachop pi, chakhe, and thon, which are mentioned in the Tribhumikatha, one of the first books written in Thai, and on a stone inscription from the time of King Ramkhamhaeng of the Sukhothai period. Some songs of the Sukhothai period are still sung at present, such as Phleng Thep Thong.
During the Ayutthaya period the instrumental ensemble was composed of four to eight musicians. Songs became much longer and singing technique was improved. Many Ayutthaya songs were composed in a form of musical suite called Phleng Tap, which was a series of songs. Poets contributed lyrics in the form of short stories, mostly from the Ramakien. Many Ayutthaya songs are still employed in Thai plays today.
In the beginning of the Bangkok era, after a long period of war, there was a remarkable revival of Thai arts, especially music and drama.The size of the instrumental ensemble was enlarged to twelve musicians and several masterpieces of Thai literature were produced as theatrical performances accompanied by music. Beautiful lyrics written by contemporary poets were fitted into melodies of the Ayutthaya period.
All Thai musicians in the past received their training from teachers, through constant playing and singing in their presence. With nothing else to rely upon except their own memory, it was only through much hard work that they gained their technical experience and practical knowledge.
Later when Thailand began to have contact with Western European nations and the United States, Thais adopted such Western instruments as the bass drum, the violin, and the organ.
To save the national music from extinction, modern Thai musicians are trying to devise a system in which this traditional music can be rendered into Western notation and later edited. According to a book written by Sir Hubert Perry, entitled Evolution of the Art of Music, "The Thai scale system is . . . extraordinary. It is not now pentatonic, though supposed to be derived originally from the Javanese system. The scale consists of seven notes which should by right be exactly equidistant from one another; that is, each step is a little less than a semitone and three-quarters. So that they have neither a perfect fourth nor a true fifth in their system, and both their thirds and sixths are between major and minor; and not a single note between a starting note and its octave agrees with any of the notes of the European scale. . .Their sense of the right relations of the notes of the scale are so highly developed that their musicians can tell by ear directly a note which is not true to their singular theory. Moreover, with this scale, they have developed a kind of musical art in the highest degree complicated and extensive.ΓÇ¥
In all, there are about fifty types of Thai musical instruments, including many local versions of flutes, stringed instruments, and gongs used for all kinds of occasions: festivals, folk theatre,marriages, funerals, and social evenings after harvesting.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn is an accomplished performer of several Thai classical music instruments. She has become an active leader of the movement to revive interest in the rich cultural value of Thai music among the younger generations.
Western Music
During the last decade of the 20th century, Thailand has witnessed the flourish of Western music as never before, and this development will surely continue well into the 21st century.
Western classical music was introduced to Thailand early in the 20th century. Its development was nurtured by Phra Chen Duriyang, a Westerner who came to Thailand and served in the Royal Thai government. He taught many young Thai musicians in subjects like theory, orchestration and applied music and established ThailandΓÇÖs first symphony orchestra. It has been said that ThailandΓÇÖs orchestra under Phra ChenΓÇÖs directorship was among the best in Asia at that time. In 1934, this orchestra was transferred to and became the nucleus of the Fine Arts Department. By the late 1920s, other small orchestras had been established as part of the branches of the Thai armed services. One of the most distinguished orchestras of this category is the Royal Thai Navy Orchestra, still performing today. Another group of musicians called ΓÇ£Pro MusicaΓÇ¥ got together to perform and discuss musical matters. They eventually evolved in 1982 as the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra.
Many musicians who had the opportunity to further their studies abroad have come back with refined skills and increased knowledge and have passed on this precious treasure to their students, both by teaching in schools and by operating their private studios. Noted teachers in this category are, for example, Mr. Piyabhand Sanitwongse and Mr. Kamthorn Sanitwongse. Generation after generation, the knowledge is passed on and newer generations of musicians have shown marked improvement
in style and technique, knowledge and skill, thus classical music in Thailand improves and keeps moving forward.
Music education in Thailand is managed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of University Affairs in terms of curriculum content. Western music classes,both practical and theoretical have been integrated into the school curriculum in Thailand in these past three decades in every elementary school, high school and college level. Western music classes become compulsory classes for some and elective classes for others. Students have an opportunity to, for example, take music appreciation class, learn how to play a recorder, learn how to sing, and participate in the schoolΓÇÖs chorus, marching band, and orchestra.
There has been a huge development in music education at the higher education level. Government organizations and universities have opened music schools and music faculties,starting with the School of Fine Arts which belongs to the Fine Arts Department (opened in 1934), followed by Chulalongkorn University, Payap University, Srinakarinwiroj Prasarnmit University, Kasetsart University, Mahidol University, Silpakorn University, Khon Kaen University, etc.
At the undergraduate level, there are mainly two different areas of study: pure music (music performance) and music education. The aim of the pure music programme is to produce musicians.
The aim of music education is to produce music teachers and music educators.
For the graduate level,there are programmes on musicology,music education, ethnomusicology (cultural studies emphasizing Thai or eastern music) and recently a programme on performance. Mahidol University is planning to open a programme in music therapy, music industry and music technology in 2001.
Besides the serious music education in schools and colleges, privately owned music institutes, music organizations, non-degree music programmes and music-related companies are growing rapidly to serve the demand of the music market in Thailand. This is especially true in the past decade. Some of the early established institutes continue their tradition while others expand and provide more functions to the general public. These institutes are, for example, Yamaha School of Music (Siam Kolakarn), Robinson School Music, NatΓÇÖs Studio, Music Campus for General Public (MCGP) of Mahidol University, Bangkok String Training Institute (BST) of the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, Chintakarn Music School, MIFA International Academy of Music of Grammy, Dr. Sax Music School, D&M Music Studio and so on.
In addition to giving music instruction, many of these institutes sell musical instruments and music scores, organize music examinations, promote and organize concerts and ompetitions, seminars, workshops, and music camps. In addition to music institutes, many music societies and foundations
also provide support, sponsorship and organize music activities, for example, the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Piyabhand Sanitwongse Foundation, the Bangkok Chopin Society and the Bangkok Music Society.
Musicians from all over the world are interested in coming to Thailand for musical opportunities. Professional concert organizing is another music business being seen in recent years. Concert halls become a necessity for all musical performances and activities. New places are being built and old
places are renovated.
As in classical music, jazz music in Thailand owes much to Phra Chen Duriyang. Although he himself was not a jazz musician, he did lay a solid foundation of music for this students. His students were the first group of jazz musicians in Thailand. In 1925, Luang Sukhum-Naipradit came back from Boston and brought some music with him; he started to play jazz with his own jazz band. While in Boston, he studied jazz via playing tenor saxophone and banjo. From 1934, his band received much recognition. Around the time Luang Sukhum-Naipradit was leading his jazz band, Captain Marut Senaweenin founded a jazz group called ΓÇ£Manit JazzΓÇ¥. Interestingly, all band members were female.
In 1946, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej composed his first song called Candlelight Blues, a 24-bar blues. Since then, His Majesty has composed a total of 47songs. He is truly a versatile composer who has pioneered modern jazz composition in Thailand. Today,the King Bhumibol College of Music, Mahidol University is the very first college of music in Thailand to offer a degree with a major in jazz studies.
The rapid growth and development mentioned above reflect the Thai peopleΓÇÖs increasing interest and appreciation of Western music. This is a good sign because a country can be considered as
civilized not only because it advances materialistically but culturally also. As His Majesty said:
ΓÇ£.....music is a part of me. It is a part of everyone, an essential part of us all. To me, music is something fine and beautiful. I think we should all recognize the value of music in all its forms.ΓÇ¥
1 From an interview with His Majesty broadcast on Voice of America, National Broadcasting Station, 21 June 1990.
Popular Western music, introduced in the 1950s, has also been widely accepted by the Thai people and today there are a large number of modern groups, some producing music that contains elements of both pop and traditional Thai.
Music plays an important part in the life of the Thai Royal Family. His Majesty the King is an internationally recognized jazz musician with numerous original compositions to his credit, one of which was featured in a Broadway show in the 1950s.
A notable success for His MajestyΓÇÖs music came in 1964 when the NQ Tonunstler Orchestra played a selection of his compositions at the Vienna Concert Hall, broadcast throughout Austria. Two days later the world-renowned Institute of Music and Arts of the City of Vienna conferred an Honorary Membership upon His Majesty the King in recognition of his outstanding musical achievements. He became the 23rd Honorary Member of the Institute since its establishment in 1817 and the first Asian composer to receive this honour.
The Music Association of Thailand, whose objectives are to promote Thai music and safeguard the welfare of musicians, is under royal patronage.
