Thailand

Traditional Dancer, Thailand

Traditional dance and music is an important part of

Thai culture. Here, a woman in full ceremonial attire
performs a traditional dance, called the Lacon Dance, that
includes specific hand and head movements.

Music of Thailand

In the northeastern region of Thailand, traditional instruments include the vot (rotary
panpipe made from bamboo tubes), ponglang (large wooden xylophone), and the pin (three-
string guitarlike instrument). The core of most local ensembles is built around the khaen (a
bamboo mouth organ with 16 tubes). The region is predominantly populated by people of Lao
descent, and many of these instruments are also found in neighboring Laos.
Today, the movements of Thai music accompanying it remain predominantly Indian,
although some of the instruments used in a Thai orchestra are unique. A typical work begins with
a structured composition that evolves naturally into improvisation. The music of Thailand is
closely related to that of Cambodia and Laos. Private and government-sponsored groups have
been working to preserve Thailands heritage in music.