Traditional Thai musical instruments (Thai:เครื่องดนตรีไทย,RTGS: Khrueang Dontri Thai) are the musical instruments used in the traditional and classical music ofThailand. They comprise a wide range of wind, string, and percussion instruments played by both theThai majority as well as the nation'sethnic minorities.
In the traditional Thai system oforganology, they are classified into four categories, by the action used in playing:
A music teacher in Mae On, near Chiang Mai, playing asuengA boy playing akhim (hammered dulcimer)Thai traditional musical ensembles atWat Kungtapao Local Museum
Saw duang (ซอด้วง) - higher two-string fiddle with hardwood body; used in classical music
Saw sam sai (ซอสามสาย) - three-string spike fiddle with coconut shell body; used in classical music; also known as the most beautiful of the fiddles
Saw u (ซออู้) - lower two-string fiddle with a coconut shell body; used in classical music
Saw krapawng (ซอกระป๋อง)- two-string fiddles with body made from a metal can; used in the Isan region;saw krapong is smaller
Saw pip (ซอปี๊บ) In a larger version of the saw krapang, the resonator is made of aluminum or large stainless steel crafted into the box. Bamboo neck and wooden pegs (shaft), it uses steel strings. The sound is lower than that of saw krapang. Usually, saw pip is only for the blind and beggars used for the purpose of busking to earn money.
Saw bang/Saw phu thai (ซอบั้ง) - a made from bamboo, used in the Isan region. It is similarxi xa lo ofThai people (Vietnam).
Salo (สะล้อ) - two- or three-string spike fiddle used in the northern region
Klong seng (กลองเส็ง),Klong ching (กลองจิ่ง), orKlong tae (กลองแตะ) - large drum played with sticks; generally played in pairs and used in competition in the Isan region, particularly by thePhu Thai people
Khaen hok (แคนหก,hok meaning "six") - smallkhaen with 12 pipes in two rows of 6; usually used by children or beginners, or sold to tourists
Khaen jet (แคนเจ็ด,jet meaning "seven") - medium-sized khaen with 14 pipes in two rows of 7
Khaen paet (แคนแปด,paet meaning "eight") - medium-sizedkhaen with 16 pipes in two rows of 8; the most commonly used variety
Khaen gao (แคนเก้า,gao meaning "nine") -khaen with 18 pipes in two rows of 9; usually very long
Khaen sip (แคนสิบ,sip meaning "ten") - an "improved" version of thekhaen paet; little used
Pi chum (ปี่จุม; called ปี่ซอpi so in northern Thailand) - free reed pipe used in the northern region
Gourd mouth organ - used by theAkha (calledlachi),Lisu (calledfulu), andLahu (callednaw) peoples of the upland regions of northern Thailand
Jaw harp (calledchongnong (จ้องหน่อง) in central Thailand andhuen (หืน) in northeast Thailand) - played primarily amongethnic minorities of northern Thailand, as well as by the people of the Isan region.
Wot - a circular panpipe made of 6-9 various lengths of small bamboo pipes. Play by holding between the hands, and while rotating, blow downwards into the pipes.
Thap - The goblet-shaped drum used for providing the changes of rhythm and also for supporting rhythm of the Nora (Southern dance drama).
Glong nora - Klong nora or Klong nang: a barrel-shaped drum used to accompany the Nora dance or the Nang talung (Shadow puppet) performance
Mong ching - Mong and Ching: two important percussion instruments used for accompanying theNora dance (dance drama) and theNang talung (shadow puppet) performance.
Khong khu - pair of small bossed gongs suspended horizontally in a wooden box; used in theater music and music of southern Thailand
Pi - a quadruple-reed oboe type with six finger holes producing at least three octaves of pitches range.
Trae phuang - Trae phuang or Krap phung: a percussion used to provide rhythmic punctuation of the Nora ensemble.