Thai musical instruments in Sukhothai period literature

Abstract

Thai musical instruments primarily appeared in the literature during the Sukhothai period, as follows, The King Ramkhamhaeng inscription, The Wat Bang Sanuk inscription, The Khao Sumonkut inscription, The Wat Phra Yuen inscription, The Wat Chang Lom inscription, The Pa Nang Kham Yea inscription, and The Traibhumikatha. There are 17 different types of musical instruments discovered. These included Soranai, Trae, Sang, Kahon, Thatied, Seneng, Phisanenchai, Phat (Phat Gong), Seo Pung Taw, Pin, Gong, Kangsadan, Kla-ding, Ching, Chang, Ban Tho, and Moratong. These instruments have been described with terms present in the written evidence by Archaeologists and Musicologists, but no substantive evidence of their appearance and function has been shown. The objectives of this study were to study 1) names and appearances of Thai musical instruments 2) functions of playing Thai musical instruments during the Sukhothai period. By bringing the sciences of the aforementioned fields to study and interpret, which will allow them to gain more knowledge of Thai musical instruments during the Sukhothai period. It also shows how the Thai musical instruments that have been used since the Sukhothai period have changed today. The results of the study have revealed that 1) The musical instruments that remain their appearance, name, and function of playing. 2) The musical instruments whose name has changed but appearance and playing function have not. 3) The musical instruments whose appearance and name have changed but function remains the same. 4) The musical instruments with the same name and function, but the appearance has slightly changed. 5) The musical instruments with the same name but the appearance is different and could have the same or different function depending on their application. 6) The musical instruments that are not in use presently.