Music

Since the Sukhothai period (13th century), Thai music has been developed into a great art. Musical instruments have become more highly developed and some new ones have been created.

The Thai musical scale is somewhat similar to the diatomic scale of Western music, but not identical. It consists of seven different fulltone steps arranged equidistantly within its octave. There are no half-tones between any of these seven full-tone steps; and ff one divides this seven full-tone scale into semi-tones, there would be fourteen instead of twelve as in the case of the Western chromatic scale.

There are five types of Thai songs: 1) Classic songs which incorporate all the unique qualities of Thai music, 2) Solo songs to be performed by several instruments, 3) Phleng Na-Phat for accompanying dramatic performers, 4) Phleng Hom Rong or prelude songs and 5) Folk songs. Besides these five types, there are also modem Thai songs which have incorporated some foreign styles of music.

Classical Dance & Drama

Wearing elaborate costumes and ornate headdresses, Thai classical dancers assume various positions in order to convey the meaning of the accompanying music. Each position has a name which precisely interprets the dancers' movements. Most classical dances are performed within the Thai dramas.

One of the most prominent "s of Thai drama is the khon, known to foreigners as the 'masked play". In general, the performers are men who wear masks. Each mask has its own individual features, representing the personality and status of the wearer. The masks are exquisitely made in a great variety of designs, especially the masks of the principal actors in the role of a demon or monkey.

The story usually performed by the khon is the Ramakien, a Thai version of the Indian epic, the Ramayama. The story as presented by the khdn contains a selected part of episode which is popular and well-known.

Similar to the khon is the lakhon, in which the male characters do no wear masks unless they represent demons or monkeys or other characters which are neither celestial or human. Unlike the players of the khon, those of the lakhon do not sing. Instead, there is a chorus which intones the words for them.

In Southern Thailand, the Nang Talung, or "'shadow play", is the most popular drama form, the story of which is also based on the Ramakien. In the play, jointed, puppet-like figures made of hide are moved by wire-pullers and shadows are cast onto a screen in front of the audience.

Folk Dances

Thailand's different regions and variety of peoples adds to the rich tradition of Thai folk music and dancing. Among the traditional folk dances, the ramwong is both performed on the stage and enjoyed by members of the public themselves. The dance is relatively simple the rhythm well-defined and the movements of the hands very simple and graceful.

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