Music

Folk songs in the central plains and the east of Thailand are closely related to the waterside lifestyles and agricultural occupations of the people - rice farming, fishing, etc. The folk songs are related directly to dances performed in the area.

One traditional folk song called 'rong khak' relates directly to the seasonal ploughing and planting of rice. Thai folk songs such as 'pleng choi', 'pleng e-saew', 'pleng kiew khao' (harvesting rice song), were sung to lighten the back-breaking work in the fields. Other Thai folk songs such as 'pleng rua' (boat song) or 'lam tad' were performed for festivals, fairs and rituals.

Whatever the folk song, witty exchanges would be made between the male and female performers. The singers would include male and female leaders ('por pleng' and 'mae pleng') as well as a chorus ('look ku'). The songs have no pre-arranged lyrics and each singer must use his or her wit to make spontaneous challenges or replies. Musical instruments such as the 'ching', (small cup-shaped cymbals) or the 'klong' (drum), are used only to keep time.

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