Thai Music. From Classic to Pop and Rock

Thai music is just as much a part of Thailand as Thai food is. You cannot say Thailand without mentioning Thailand music somewhere along the way.

Thai music and its culture are very tightly interwoven. The Thai people love their music. They have a real pride in it. Itdoesn't matter if it's classic, pop, or rock they really get into it.

Most Thai music is unlike anything I've ever heard before. At first the music sounded strange to me but then it started to grow on me, until eventually I actually missed hearing it.

Thailand music is not just one type of music; it's crossed over from classic, to country, to almost all forms.

Classic is the most defining Thai music. This is the music one hears and mostly likely relates to Thailand.

The three types of classic are Khruang Sai, Mahori, and Piphat. These three are the earliest Thailand music styles, dating from at least 800 years ago. It has very little singing and is mostly instrumental.

This type of music uses all sorts of traditional instruments. The most notable classic instruments are the wooden xylophone, the saw duang (a two stringed floor violin), flutes, small cymbals, and a variety of drums. Click Here to hear a sample of Thai traditional music.

Next is Classic Country or Folk Music

Classic country Thai music uses most of the instruments from the classical period but up tempos them a bit. Most of the time it uses more violin and guitar and sings rhythmic vocals. However, Thai country has turned more pop recently.

With-in Classic country are two major types, Luk Thung and Mor Lam. Most of the songs my wife sang professionally were these types of songs. This type of music is extremely popular as Thai karaoke music.

Luk Thung is usually slower (but can be uptempo) and talks about the hard life of the poor in the Isan or country area. Themes are somewhat similar to sad U.S. country songs. Click Here to hear a sample of Luk Thung.

Mor Lam is the most popular country folk music in Thailand. This music can be slow or upbeat and most of the time more fun and entertaining. Click Here to see a sample of Mor Lam.

You also have Mor Lam Sing which is like Mor Lam but it uses electronic instruments, the Thai language instead of Lao, and is closer to pop music. Click Here to see a sample of Mor Lam Sing.

Many of these songs are sad, fun, but mostly romantic. Again, Thai country folk music is turning more pop.

Thai music side note: You can find Thai karaoke music booths almost anywhere in Thailand. I don't think Thais can go too far with-out singing. The most popular places to find Thai karaoke music booths were near bowling alleys or in malls.

There are also many restaurants you can go to that are actually karaoke dining. You might think it's a normal sit down and eat until the TV in the corner start showing Thai karaoke music videos and they hand the mic over to a guest eating in the corner and that guest starts singing chords. At first you might be surprised by this but it's a great time to order some salted peanuts and have a beer.

My wife used to sing songs at a restaurant bar where she would sing on stage and the audience would buy a string of money flowers to put around her neck. This was strictly a Thai phenomenon and very few expats even know much about it.

However, since the Asian economic crash of 90's this is not done as much and it has also turned trashy unfortunately.

Thai Pop Music,

Following Western culture, Thai music has lead to Thai pop music which has been growing in ever increasing strength through-out the country.

I believe the most popular Thai pop music singer in Thailand is Tata Young. She has made a great deal of hits. Some of her more popular ones are Dhoom Dhoom, Cinderella, I Believe, Zoom and many others.

Click Here to see a video of Zoom by Tata Young. My buddy Andy, a male model from Bulgaria, is the gentleman in the video. You can see his picture on the Work in Thailand and Thailand Nightlife section.

You also have fast paced Thai disco music like the kind you hear at low end Thai music discos for the younger crowd. Click Here for a sample video. This song is actually not very fast in this genre of Thai music but I couldn't find any of the really fast ones. However, this song is a very typical sound for Thai disco music.

And last but not least,

Thai Pop Rock music like Clash and Loso (play on Thai words for hi-so, high society) are also enjoyed by the masses in the land of smiles. Clash is extremely popular and their music can be heard at many Thai clubs.

Even the King of Thailand was heavily involved in the music scene. He mostly partook in Jazz, Blues and other similar types of music in his youth. Click Here for a sample video. Thailand actually gets a few big name Jazz and Blues singers from time to time.

As you've heard here, Thailand music has got quite a range of interesting culture and sound (some love it, some hate it) but it is a BIG part of what makes Thailand unique.

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