A ''prakhom'' band ( th, วงเครื่องประโคม) is a type of traditional
Thai music
The music of Thailand reflects its geographic position at the intersection of China and India, and reflects trade routes that have historically included Africa, Greece and Rome. Traditional Thai musical instruments are varied and reflect ancient ...
band employed to play ceremonial music–known as ''prakhom'' music–during certain Thai rituals. Today, they report to the
Bureau of the Royal Household
The Bureau of the Royal Household (BRH) ( th, สำนักพระราชวัง) is an agency of the monarchy of Thailand. In addition to a range of administrative and ceremonial responsibilities, the bureau also serves as a conduit for ...
's (BRH)
Royal Ceremonial Division, and are responsible for the playing of traditional songs during royal events of the
Royal Family of Thailand
The Chakri dynasty ( th, ราชวงศ์ จักรี, , , ) is the current reigning dynasty of the Kingdom of Thailand, the head of the house is the king, who is head of state. The family has ruled Thailand since the founding of the ...
, in a custom known as ''prakhom yam yam'' or royal ceremonial music performances. The Prakhom Band plays the ''prakhom'' part of state events involving the Thai Royal Family and are distinguished by their red
dress uniforms
Full dress uniform, also known as a ceremonial dress uniform or parade dress uniform, is the most formal type of uniforms used by military, police, fire and other public uniformed services for official parades, ceremonies, and receptions, inclu ...
and
pith helmet
The pith helmet, also known as the safari helmet, salacot, sola topee, sun helmet, topee, and topi) is a lightweight cloth-covered helmet made of sholapith. The pith helmet originates from the Spanish Empire, Spanish military adaptation of the na ...
s. As the term states they play ceremonial music every three hours during state funeral rites to signal officials and staff members of the Royal Family and the ensemble plays in other events like state coronations, royal anniversaries and the State Opening of the National Assembly.
The ensemble is similar to the ''
daechwita
Daechwita () is a genre of Korean traditional music consisting of military music played by wind and percussion instruments, generally performed while marching or as a static performance.
Instrumentation
Instruments used include ''nabal'' (b ...
'' ensembles of South Korea, but are of Chinese and Hindu origin. Unlike other ensembles it reports as part of the Royal Ceremonial Division of the BRH, since the instruments are part of the Thai royal regalia. Of the 80 members, 38 work for the BRH, 42 are uniformed personnel of the
Royal Thai Army
The Royal Thai Army or RTA ( th, กองทัพบกไทย; ) is the army of Thailand and the oldest and largest branch of the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
History
Origin
The Royal Thai Army is responsible for protecting the kingdom's so ...
11th Military District (
1st Division, King's Guard).
In parades and ceremonies these are reinforced by cadets of the
Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School
The Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School or AFAPS (Thai: โรงเรียนเตรียมทหาร) is a senior high school in Nakhon Nayok Province. It is a flagship institution of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. The ...
and traditional musicians from the
Royal Thai Navy
The Royal Thai Navy ( Abrv: RTN, ทร.; th, กองทัพเรือไทย, ) is the naval warfare force of Thailand. Established in 1906, it was modernised by the Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse (1880–1923) who is known as ...
.
Instruments of the ensemble
'' If performing during state ceremonies'':
* 1 Royal
Khong meng (the Victory Gong)
* 1
Poeng mang
The ''poeng mang'', ( th, เปิงมาง), known as ''poeng mang khok'' () when used as a set, is a traditional Thai drum of Mon origin and in Myanmar called Pat waing, played by Mon people . It is a percussion instrument, used to furnis ...
* 2 Glong banthoh (gold small barrel drums, only for the King)
* 16
Klong khaek
''Klong khaek'' ( th, wikt:กลองแขก, กลองแขก, ) is a type of double-headed barrel drum used in Thai music. The term literally means "Indian drum" from the words ''klong'' (กลอง) meaning drum and ''Keling, Khaek ...
* 2
Pi chanai
* 8–12
Trae horns (small horns)
* 2–4
Sangkhlas (conch shell horns)
* 10–14
fanfare trumpet
A fanfare trumpet, also called a herald trumpet, is a brass instrument similar to but longer than a trumpet, capable of playing specially composed fanfares. Its extra length can also accommodate a small ceremonial banner that can be mounted on it. ...
s
'' If on parade or during funeral marches'':
* 1 clapper (separate from the band)
* 2 standard bearers
* 2 Pi chanai
* 1–2 poeng mang
* 4 glong banthoh (only if the King is present) composed of 4 timpanists and a squad of 4 bearers on each drum
* 160 1st Klong khaek
* 40 2nd klong khaek (20 silver and 20 gold each)
* 28 Trae horns
* 4 Sangkla conch horns
* 20 fanfare trumpets
* 4 drum majors
* 2 fanfare conductors
See also
*
Monarchy of Thailand
The monarchy of Thailand (whose monarch is referred to as the king of Thailand; th, พระมหากษัตริย์ไทย, or historically, king of Siam; th, พระมหากษัตริย์สยาม) refers to the c ...
*
Bureau of the Royal Household
The Bureau of the Royal Household (BRH) ( th, สำนักพระราชวัง) is an agency of the monarchy of Thailand. In addition to a range of administrative and ceremonial responsibilities, the bureau also serves as a conduit for ...
*
Traditional Thai musical instruments
Traditional Thai musical instruments ( th, เครื่องดนตรีไทย, ) are the musical instruments used in the traditional and classical music of Thailand. They comprise a wide range of wind, string, and percussion instruments ...
References
{{ThaiMusicalEnsembles
Marching bands
Thai music
Military music
Thai monarchy