Traditional or Folk music in Thailand

The music in Thailand contemplates the mixture of Indonesia, India, Chaina, Cambodia, etc. Musical instruments in Thailand have great classification and are slightly influenced from abroad. The klong thap and khim has got Persian origin, klong jin has Chinese origin, jakhe has Indian origin while klong kaek has Indonesian origin. The traditional or folk music in Thailand has got tremendous popularity. Some of them are listed below:

• Pop and rock: Western jazz, tango, showtunes, classical music, etc. were popular by 1930’s. Many of these start dominiating Thai music a lot. Khru Eua Sunthornsanan set up the first Thai jazz band. Along with another band named Suntharaporn, Khru Eua Sunthornsanan invented a music named pleng Thai sakorn. This music helped incorporating Thai melodies with western classical. King Bhumibol was another finest jazz composer as well as musician.
• Luk thung: Luk thung is a Thai country music. This music was developed with a view to reflect day to day trials and visitations of the rural people of Thailand. Many of the stars were from the city of Suphanburi. Pumpuang Duangjan pioneered electronic luk thung which is equally famous among the Thai people.
• Kantrum: The people of Isan are actually known as kantrum. It is less famous than mor lam. Khmer who played kantrum live near Cambodia. This is traditional dance music.
• Mor lam: North-eastern Isan region of Thailand have folk music named mor lam. The region has lao population in prominence. This also focus in the life of rural people as luk thunk. The lead singer in mor lam is accompanied by khaen. 15 regional variations are there in mor lam.
• Indie: Indie is a group of independent artists that produces good music and that too not for commercial purpose.
• Phleng pheua chiwit: By 1960’s western rock become famous in Thailand and people start copying Cliff Richard and the shadows. The music was famous as wong shadow and soon it became Thai pop and called as string. Caravan was the earliest phleng pheua chiwit band. By 1990’s phleng pheua chiwit saw its end but Thai music was still rocking.
• String: In 90’s string took over listeners in Thailand. Some of the famous rock bands of Thailand in the year 2006 can be named as Big Ass, Clash, Silly Fools, and Bodyslam.