The oboe
ปี่ชวา
A double-reed pipe in two pieces — a bored body with seven finger holes and a thumb hole, and a flared bell — with a reed made of four folded pieces…
The band
Four instruments play every fight in Thailand, live, and they speed up when it matters.
Wind
Drum
The drums
กลองแขก
Two long double-headed drums played with the hands, one pitched higher than the other. Thai names them *tua phu* and *tua mia* — the male and the…
The victory drum
กลองสะบัดชัย
The Lanna war drum, beaten going out to battle for good fortune and to hold the soldiers' nerve. Three old melodies are named: *Chaiphaeri*…
Time-keeper
The time
ฉิ่ง
A pair of thick bronze cups on a cord, struck together. Closed, they say *ching*; let ring, they say *chap*, and the two syllables are the name and…
The whole band
The band
วงปี่กลอง
Every stadium fight in Thailand is played live by a small band: an oboe, a pair of drums and a pair of hand cymbals, sitting at the ring apron.