TheThai National Anthem,[a] also simply referred to as theNational Anthem,[b] is thenational anthem ofThailand. It was officially adopted in its current form on 10 December 1939. It replaced "Sansoen Phra Barami" as the civilian anthem in 1932 (the latter is still used as theroyal anthem of Thailand). The melody was composed byPhra Chenduriyang (Peter Feit), and the official lyrics were written byLuang Saranupraphan.
Prior to 1939, when Thailand was then known as "Siam", two different lyrical versions were used—each one by different authors.
which was the royal composition of KingBuddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) for use as the new anthem. King Chulalongkorn later ordered Mr.Heutsen, a Dutch bandmaster who served in the Royal Siamese Army, to arrange the song in western style for performing by the military band. According to a research ofSugree Charoensuk, an associate professor fromMahidol University, the melody of this anthem may be the same tune with another anthem namedSansoen Suea Pa (Thai:เพลงสรรเสริญเสือป่า : Tiger Corps Hymn) which was used as the anthem of theWild Tiger Corps since 1911.[1]
AfterSiamese revolution of 1932, the anthem was classified into 2 factions, Phleng Chat Thai was used as national anthem and Sansoen Phra Barami was still used as royal anthem. In 1939 the country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand and the anthem's lyrics was changed from the words Siam to Thai.
Sheet music ofPhlēng chāt in 1934, in use with the longer lyrics until 1939
The original lyrics were penned by Khun Wichitmatra under the title "Phlēng chāt Sayām" (Thai:เพลงชาติสยาม). It was briefly in use from 1932 to 1934, when the lyrics were modified by Chan Khamwilai.
Siamese land is renowned as the land of gold. The Thais have conquered this beautiful land. The Thai people have served it ever since the Ancient times. United, we have defended it
In some eras, our foes have attacked us. But the Thais sacrificed their lives to save their motherland. With blood, we fought for our sovereignty And hitherto we have kept Siam alive.
This Siamese land is the bulwark of the Thai race Our blood runs through this nation's veins. Independence is like a pagoda we honor[note 1] We will rise and stand as one.
To protect our motherland and sovereignty so dear.[note 2] There will be no mercy for those who dishonor it. We shall massacre them until their last. To glorify our great Siamese land, hurrah!
In 1934, Thai government launched competitions for the official national anthem, for both melody and lyrics. Changwang Tua Phathayakoson (จางวางทั่ว พัทยโกศล) composed a tune in a traditional style calledPhleng Maha Nimit, but Phra Chenduriyang's melody was selected because it sounded more modern.
After that, in the competition for the lyrics with Phra Chenduriyang's music, the original words by Khun Wichitmatra took first prize. They were in use until 1939, with a minor edit and an additional version written by second prize winner Chan Khamvilai (ฉันท์ ขำวิไล) adopted in 1934.[2][3][4]
The lyrics to "Phlēng chāt Sayām" were changed by Chan Khamwilai, whose version was in use until 1939 when the name of Siam was officially changed to "Thailand".
Let us all sacrifice our lives To maintain the rights to freedom the land of Siam That the ancestors tried to fight until their death Eliminate the enemies of Thailand to perish
Even though the Thai disaster is inferior But still able to restore the independence back It is an honor to the beautifulAyutthaya That is not an end to good people.
All of us, we are of Thai blood Doesn't allow anyone to oppress us Protect rights and freedom When disaster helped each other until the day of death
If we die, the name will be spread That Thailand is firmly in love with the nation Have great friendship for both men and women The glory of Siam will never be lost, Hurrah!
In 1939, when the name of the country was changed fromSiam to Thailand, a competition was launched to create new lyrics, with those byLuang Saranupraphan winning.Thai prime ministerPlaek Phibunsongkhram ordered the anthem to be played every day at 08:00 and 18:00 (8 AM and 6 PM), and ordered the populace to stand up to show respect for the nation. Nowadays, the morning and evening anthems correspond to the hoisting and lowering of the national flags in public areas (e.g. schools, workplaces, public buildings), respectively; hence, the anthem is broadcast by both radio and television channels twice per day from 1980's.
The flesh and blood of every Thai united, This land of Thailand sacred to every Thai! Their sway since days of yore persisted, Love and unity heart of every Thai!
Though the Thais love peace, dauntlessly we fight, Our freedom shan't be taken away. We'll sacrifice ourselves with every might, Long live Thailand's glory and victory, hooray!
Performed by Thai Fine Art Department Orchestra, recorded in 1939, published by Thailand's Public Relation Department on Rabbit Brand gramophone label.
According to the practice dates during thePlaek Phibunsongkhram era and The Flag Act of 1979, Thais must stop what they are doing and stand at attention to pay homage to the anthem played by all Thai media outlets, twice a day, at 08:00 and again at 18:00. Students in school stand in front of the raised flag and sing the national anthem at 08:00 every school day, while those who do not observe the custom by standing in silence during the anthem are subject to a fine of up to 2,000 baht and not more than one year in prison.[5] At present, there is no longer any compulsion to stand upright and respect the national flag. But most people choose to stand upright and respect the national flag voluntarily.[6]
^abThe original unofficial lyrics by Khun Wichitmatra contain the lineเอกราษฎร์คือกระดูกที่เราบูชา ("Independence is like the bones we honor") This was edited prior to the official broadcast on 20 August 1934.
^abThe original unofficial lyrics by Khun Wichitmatra contain the lineยึดอำนาจกุมสิทธิ์อิสสระเสรี ('To take power and hold the rights of independence and freedom'). This was edited prior to the official broadcast on 20 August 1934.
^This part of the lyric, asofficially published in theRoyal Thai Government Gazette, volume 51, section 0 ง, dated 26 August 1934, was printed as "แม้ถึงไทยไทยด้อยจนย่อยยับ". This differs from the original handwritten lyrics by Chan Khamvilai, "แม้ถึงภัยไทยด้อยจนย่อยยับ", leading to a confused meaning. Because of this, the article uses the original lyric as written by Chan Khamvilai instead of the version published in the gazette (See Jeamteerasakul, Somsak.ความเป็นมาของเพลงชาติไทยปัจจุบัน. pp. 45-46)
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