วิพิธศิลป์

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fi/fiNfi?.fi O fi/fiNfi?.fi NfiOfi>/fi O /fiOffff/fi>Nfi>.>N/fi?//fi/>Nfi.Nfi. O ff?Ofi/fiNfiOfi/>.>/ff?/Nfi?.fi>ffNfiO>/> 1 N/N/ /N>./O>Nfifi>/fiO>fi/Nff/ O fi>./O.ffOfiN//>/>?fi Nff?N/O/ON/Ofi>/N/?N/fiN///Nfi//Nfi?.fiNffOffNfi ? Fon Thian (Candle Dance) Fon Thian is a dance from Northern Thailand, with female performers holding a candlestick in each hand and dancing along to local music. This dance is commonly performed during nighttime, so as to highlight the candlelight9s movements. 100 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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fi/fiff> O fi/fiff> NfiOfi>/O.fffi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi/>//O>fifi>fi>.>N/fi?//Nfi. O ff?OO.ff///>/N>./O>ff/O//ff?/.>fi>ff>fiNff>>ffNfiN/?./N> ff>fi/>fi?fi fi? 2 /?/ O fi>./?ffO.ffOfi>fifi/>Nfffi?.O>?/>//O>fifi>/>OfiN/?Nff/>fi O Fon Phang (Eathen Lamp Dance) Fon Phang is a dance of the Lan Na people of Northern Thailand. The performers dance with <Phang Pratheep= (ignited earthenware lamps) in both hands. <Phang= is the local word for a type of earthenware lamp, and <Pratheep= is the word for light. This performance has been featured in important festivals and ceremonies of the Northern Thai people since ancient times. 102 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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fi/fiN/Off O fi/fiN/Off NfiOfi.>/fi>>/fi O /fi/fi>.>N/fi?//Nfi. O fi>./?ffO.ffOfi>/fiO/fi/?ffOff?O/>N.?/fiO/ON>ff/>/fi/>fi?ffO ff?OO.ff.//N/Off.?fi//N>./O>fi>//?fiOffff>/fi/fifi/>/fffffi/O/O/>fiO>fi/Nff/ O Fon Leb (Fingernails Dance) Fon Leb is a dance from Northern Thailand that is occasionally performed to welcome guests. Performers adorn themselves with golden artificial fingernails and dance along to local music. Their delicate, slow-paced choreography and graceful hand movements are accentuated by their long fingernails. 104 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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fi/fi.>/N// O fi/fi.>/N// NfiOfi.>/fi>>/fi O /fi/fi>.>N/fi?/ /?/?/>fiN>/O> O .?N//>///>.ff>////>ff?>/fi/ffO>N// N/>/ffO/.? N fifi/fi>/fi/?fiOfi//N/fi O NOfffiO>. .>/N// O/>fi/ffO> /?/?fiOffff>/fi/fi/O>fi>/fiO>fi/Nff/Ofi?//> O > O ON/?N/fffifi/?ff?OfiffO>fi.>N/fi?/ N O fi .>/O/ / > N Fon Sao Mai (Silk Reeling Dance) Fon Sao Mai is a dance whose choreography is inspired by the movements of silk production. The dance begins by mimicking the movement of growing mulberry leaves (which are used to feed silkworms), followed by cocoon harvesting, silk thread reeling, and concluding with silk weaving. This dance is commonly accompanied by slow-beat music from traditional Northern Thai instruments, such as Salo (spiked fiddle with three strings) and Sueng (plucked fretted lute). 106 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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/>ffO>NOffOff> />ffO>NOffOff> NfiOfi>/O.fffi>.>N/fi?//?/?/>fiN>/O>fi?N.?N//>///>. ff>////>ff?>/NOffOff>/>/N> N/>/fi? N OfiN O /N N >//Nff>fifi>NfiNOffOff> O fi?Nfi/?/.?Nfi>/N//NN> fiN/>fi?fifiO>/>N/?/OffO/>ff>NOffff /?>//>N/Nfifi?N.fi>.fi>fi O /?NfiN/>fi>//Off>O/O /N.Ofi>NOffOff>O/>Nff>fifi>/?ffffO>fi N ff?OO.ff>./>OfiN>.Offff>/ff?OfiN/?/.>N/fi?//Nfi. Rabam Kep Bai Cha (Tea Leaves Harvesting Dance). Rabam Kep Bai Cha is a dance inspired by the tea harvesting activities of hill tribe people in Northern Thailand. The dance depicts harvesters going out into the fields in early morning to collect tea leaves. The fresh leaves are then selected for quality and dried into tea. This dance is often performed while harvesters wait for the tea leaves to dry in the evening. Performers dress in the traditional clothing of the Northern hill tribe people. 108 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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110 />ff>ff.>/fiN fi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi.>OfiO O.ffff>/>ff?/>fi/>/NfiOfi/.?N >/fi/>/ff/> ? ff/ ? >/OfiO /??//>fiO>fi/fi?N.fi>.fi>fi >/O.ffff>>ff/?>/ff./ff.>fi?ff/?fffiff/// /fi/>Nfi.Nff?N/fiffO>fi/.>OfiO /?fiOffff>/O.ffOffN//fi>//?/fi>ff?Ofifi?N ?/ /?/fi>>/O.ff/.>OfiOfi/fifffiO/>.>OfiOfi/fi/N> N/?N/fffifi/?fi?NOfi/>/ffffO/. O fi?N // /O>/>fi> N//N fi/>fi?O>/O.ffff>>ffNffOfiO>N/?N/fffifi/?.>//>ff./ NffOON N/N//?fi ?fi>/N NfffiN O/P//NNff?.fi /?OO NfiOfifiOfi fi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi.>OfiO

/>ff>ff.>/fiN 111 Southern Thailand is a large peninsular area bordered by the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Southern performing arts reflect the lively way of life and spirited temperament of Southerners. As such, Southern dances are often fast-passed and vivacious, with energetic musical accompaniment. Some dances may also depict the occupations of local people, such as mining. Southern Thai dances can be divided into two styles based on geographic regions: the (1) Upper South and (2) Lower South. The Upper South is home to a majority Buddhist population. Dances from this region incorporate music from instruments such as Pi (oboe), Klong (drums), and Mong (pair gongs). The Lower South is home to a large ethnic Malay population who practices Islam. Dances from this region incorporate music from local instruments, such as Rammana (frame drum), as well as Western instruments, such as violin, guitar, banjo, accordion, and maracas, which were brought into the region by Western merchants. With a large Malay presence, dances of the Lower South also share similarities with dances from neighboring countries in Maritime Southeast Asia. Southern Thai Folk Dances

Nfi/> Nfi/> NfiOfi.>/fi>>/O.fffi?NNN>ON/>/Nfi..>OfiO /?OffffOfffi.?fffiN/?fi/>//>./O/.fi? fiN>/O>Nfi/>ff//.>.ff>/?/fi>fiN>/O>/>fi/? O/>O.O>//?ffNfiOfi>//O>ff?>/? O Nff?N//>/./?.ff>// .?Nfi.Nfi/>>./?ff//>Ofifi>Nff?.fiNfiOfi//ff.?/>fi?> fi>/?fffiff///fi?N?fffiO/N/NNffO//fi>/.>fi> Nora Nora is a folk performing art from Southern Thailand, with a history that dates back several hundred years. It is a comprehensive artform involving dance, acting, singing, poetry, costume craftsmanship, and spiritual elements. Its powerful choreography is inspired the mythical Kinnari, half-bird half-human creatures found in Indian and Thai literatures. Nora can be performed as entertainment or featured in rituals to pay respect to deceased Nora masters. In 2021, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) included Nora in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. 112 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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//NO //NO NfiOfi>//>N/Nfi/>/Nfi.fi>.>OfiO fi?NNffO/?ff/>fiff>ff//>/fi>/?fifi Nff.Nff>>.Nfifi O/>Nfi/fi>N. fi?Nfi>fffiN/O>>.?ff>///>.? Nff.Nff.Off/N/>fi> ?//?ff>.Offfifi>fi/fiOfiO/Nfi. ff?OO.fffi/>/ffffO/.>./>/O>NfiOfi?N fi>./O.ffOfi>fi/?NfiN/>fi?/Nfi N Ronggeng Ronggeng is a type of performing arts found in maritime Southeast Asia. For ethnic Malay communities in Thailand, Ronggeng refers to a type of dance between men and women. The dancers dance without touching each other in order to keep with Islamic norms. The dance and its music have been influenced by Western cultures, particularly Spain and Portugal, who came to trade with communities across what is now Thailand9s Southern border provinces. The music used is a combination of Malay songs and instruments with Western instruments, such as the violin. 114 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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/>ffO>/N/fiO/N />ffO>/N/fiO/N NfiOfi>/O.fffi>.>OfiO/Nfi. /?/?/>fiN>/O>fi?N.?N//>///>. ff>>/fi/>/ff/>ff/>O/N>O//NfiOO>ff///>fi>//>.>/ ? N/>/ffO/.>//N/fiO/N NOffO/N fi/>/ff?//>fffifi/?fi?N.fi>.fi>fi/?NfiN/>O N Rabam Ron Rae (Mineral-Sifting Dance) Rabam Ron Rae is a dance from Southern Thailand, with a choreography depicting mining-related activities such as sifting, selecting, and collecting minerals near water sources. The movements of the dance are performed in synchronization with joyful rhythmic music. Southern Thailand is rich in natural resources and is a popular region for mining activities. 116 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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/>ffO>fi>/??fi?. />ffO>fi>/??fi?. NfiOfi>/O.ff/O>ff?fffi>.>OfiO/Nfi. ff?OO.ff/> ff?/ff?fffi? 2 /?/ /N>./O>fi/>/ffNff/fi?Nff//N/ffO/.N/?N/fffifi/?ff?OfiN/?/.>OfiO O ff./ff.>fiN/?N/fi/>/ff?//>O/>N/?N/fffifi/?fi>/?fififi?N/?/>/NffN/>> Rabam Tari Kipas (Southern Fan Dance) Rabam Tari Kipas is a fan dance from Southern Thailand. The name Tari Kipas comes from the Malay terms <Tari= (meaning dance) and <Kipas= (meaning fan). Performers holding folding fans in both hands dance to music played by a mixture of local and Western musical instruments. 118 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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/>ffO>fi>/?ff>/> fi>/?ff>/> NfiOfi.>/>//>.? <fi>/?= Ofi//N> /O>//?//>ffO> <ff>/>= Ofi//N> ff/N/O fi>/?ff>/> >//>.ff> />ffO>ff/N/O NffOOfi/>ff/>> /ff/N/Ofi?NO N Ofifi/fi?N/>/>Nff?N///ffO/OOfi?N/>/N//Ofi>fiOfiN>fi O />/Nfi./>./>/ ff?OO.ff.//N/?N/OfiN>.Offffff?OfiffO>fi.>OfiO ff?/ff>fiff/N/Ofi/>/ff/>ff/fifiN>/O>fi?Nff>/ Rabam Tari Bu-nga (The Southern Bouquet Dance) The name Tari Bunga comes from the Malay terms <Tari= (meaning dance) and <Bu-nga= (meaning flowers). The dance was inspired by a type of flower bouquet that is given to guests during the wedding ceremonies of ethnic Malay communities in Southern Thailand. The performers, dressed in traditional Southern attire, each holds a bouquet of flowers placed in a pedestal tray while dancing to traditional Southern music. 120 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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122 />ff>ff.>/fiN fi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi.>/?.>fi NfiOfi>/O.fffi?N/??//>fiO>fi/.fi>.fi>fi ffN>.fi/ff />ff?/>fi/fiOfifiO/ff> ? Nfi ffO>fi/>/N/ >/fi/>/ff/> ?N ff O/>/>/ff?fiNfi>fiN> N ? /?/fi>>/O.ffOffN//fi>//?fffiff////?.>fi ?/ />N//?.>fiN/fi?/ O/>/>N//?.>fiOfiO N/?N/fffifi/?fi?NOfi/>/ff>/O.ff ?/ Ofi ff>fi Nfi/> N//ff > O N /?ff >ff NfiOfifiOfi >//?.>fiOO>/N>fi O /fi?ffN> O Nff?N/N/?.>//N>./O>fiN> N >N///ff>/?/fi>>//O>NfiOfi O //?N//>.fi fi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi.>/?.>fi

/>ff>ff.>/fiN 123 Northeastern Thailand, also known as “I-san” (meaning “Northeast”), is a large region with a long history and great cultural diversity. The people of the Northeast are known to be lively and friendly. As such, the dances of this region are energetic, entertaining, and often feature upbeat musical accompaniment. Aside from being a form of entertainment, Northeastern dances also reflect the way of life of locals, including spiritual beliefs and occupations. Examples of traditional instruments used in Northeastern dances include Khaen (bamboo mouth organ), Phin (lute), Wote (circular bamboo pan flute), Pong Lang (wooden xylophone), Ching (cup cymbals), Chap (flat cymbals), and Krap (clappers). Northeasterners use the term “Serng” and “Fon” to refer to both solo and group dances. Northeastern Thai dances can be divided into two styles based on geographic regions: the (1) Upper Northeast and (2) Lower Northeast. The Upper Northeast shares many cultural elements with its neighbor, Laos. Many provinces from this region are situated along the Mekong River. The Lower Northeast is home to a large ethnic Khmer population, as well as communities of other ethnic groups such as the Kuy and Yer peoples. Northeastern Thai Folk Dances

/>fiff.>//?//>fiffN/O />fiff.>//?//>fiffN/O NfiOfi>//>N/Nfiff?OfiN/?//>/?//?ff.>/>fifi/N .>/?.>fi/Nfi. Nff>/N/?./N> <NfiOfi.>= ffO/.fi>.?./?.fi>/>/Nfi. N/?N/N./O>/?fi/>>/fiO>fi> >fiO>.>fiO>O>//>/>fiff?fi NfiOfiN/?N/fi/>/ff?//> ff/O//?ff/?>//>N/NfiO/ONO>?ff?//> NfiOfi>/O.fffi?N.fi>.fi>fi/>//N>>./> N?O./ff>/>.??fi .?N/O/ON/Ofi/>/>//ff/>?fifi/N.>/ON>?fi fiO>O/ON>ff/>/Nff/>ffNff/>fiO >./>>/fi?fi/>N///>/.?/ff?fiffN ffO/.>/N/Nfi/>fiffN/O ?N Krathop Saak Krathop Mai (Pestle-Wooden Rod Percussion Dance) The Krathop Saak Krathop Mai dance is a folk game of the people in Surin Province, Lower Northeastern Thailand. The dance was originally called Ten Saak or <Pestle Dance=. This dance game was born out of the jolly nature of the Thai people, who decided to make creative use of a household item 3 the wooden pestle 3 in their spare time from farming activities. Large wooden pestles are normally used to pound and separated rice grains from the husks. The locals used crossed pairs of these pestles as giant ground-level clappers, producing rhythm and challenging others to dance between the fluctuating gaps. The pestles can also be replaced with other forms of long wooden rods, such as bamboo, hence the name Krathop Saak Krathop Mai or <Pestle-Wooden Rod Percussion Dance.= 124 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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fi/fi//>? O ffONff/O>Nff/>fi N fi/fi//>? O ffOPff/O>Nff/>fi NfiOfi>/O.fffi?N///fi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi N 2 fi/>N.fiNO>ffO/.?fi ?/ //>?ffOPff O/>/O>Nff/>fi //>? N ffOPff N ?/ N/?N/fffifi/?fi/>/ff?//>/.>/?.>fi /? 2 fi>ff ?/ N/O.?fi ff?Ofiff>/N/?.ff O N/O.>/ ff?Ofiff>//?/N/fi?fifi/> Nff?N/?ff?fifiO>O/ON>ffN.?. .>/>/ffN/NfiNffOfi>N/>.fi?N/? >/ff//N/fffifi/?ff?OfiffO>fi /O>Nff/>fi ?/ >/?ff/O//?fi/>N.fi/fi>N/>//?.>fi N/?N/fiO>fi? 2 fi/>N.fi />///?fi>N>ffNfiOfi>/O.fffi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi/>//?.>fi O fi?N/?/>/.fi>.fi>fi /.//O/?fi/>//N>>./> Fon Maak Gup-Gap Lam Phloen (The I-san Wooden Percussions Duet Dance) Fon Maak Gup-Gap Lam Phloen is the combination of two folk performances: Fon Maak Gup-Gap and Lam Phloen. Maak Gup-Gap is a traditional percussion instrument of the I-san Region. There are two types of Maak Gup-Gap: (1) short wooden clappers with smooth surface and (2) long wooden clappers with jagged surface. These instruments can be played in any occasion that requires musical accompaniments, such as festivals and celebrations. The dance that utilizes Maak Gup-Gap as a prop is known as Fon Maak Gup-Gap and is performed by male dancers. Lam Phloen, on the other hand, is a style of folk singing of the I-san people. Fon Maak Gup-Gap Lam Phloen combines the two performances, with the male dancer representing the Fon Maak Gup-Gap aspect and the female dancer representing the Lam Phloen aspect. The dance is a joyful performance, reflecting a playful scene between man and woman. 126 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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N>/>fi>ffO>/ O N>/>fi>ffO>/ NfiOfi>/O.ffff?OfiN/?//>/.?Nfi fi>./O.ff?fi O OfiN/>./?NfiN/>/?fifi??fi0/N >/O.ff.?N/ff>/>.>/fiO>/>/>/Nfi O/OONff>//?fiNfiOfifi?N/? />/./.>///>ff/fifiN>/O>/.?Nfi?N>/>.>fiN>fi> >/Nff>fi//>.>/fi?Offff O >O/O/N/N/?ff >/ff?ffO>/N/fi?./ >/fi? O OfiO>/N/fi?./ Soeng Kratip Khao (Sticky Rice Basket Dance) Soeng Kra-tip Khao is a folk dance of the Phu Thai ethnic group that is performed during holiday celebrations. The word <Kratip= refers to a type basket container used primarily to hold cooked glutinous rice. The performance portrays young women delivering a meal to their loved ones who are working outside the house. The dance focuses on displaying the beauty of bodily movements, both slow and fast. 128 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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N>fi?//>. O N>fi?//>. NfiOfi.>/fi>>/O.fffi?Nfi/>Ofi/?fffiff///./fi? O NO/NfiOO>N />//N>Nfi.O/>/>/ Nff.N/>/fiOfi>>/?ff/O>fiO>fi/>/fffffifi/? N fiN/ffO/.>/fi/fi/O>fi/>/fffiO>fi//O>fi?//>. NfiOfifi?Nfi>./fiO>/> O ?ff/O>Nff?N//>/ff?fiNfi>./fi?NO/NfiOO>N O/>/?>/fiO>/>./O>.//N >/?ff/O/fi/>/ff>/O.ff/.?NN.// Soeng Tang-Wai (Tang Wai Dance) Soeng Tang Wai is a folk dance found in communities across both the Thai and Lao sides of the Mekong River. The performance begins with folk singing accompanied by instrumentations, followed by a dance to the Lam Tang Wai tune. This piece of music is popularly played across both sides of the Mekong River and is often used as the melody for songs in many kinds of performances. 130 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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N>Nfi.?N> O Nfi.?N> ?/ >/Nfi./>N//fi>N />.?./.?Nfi>/OffffNfi?/N>.?ff>fi >/O.ff>fffi?O.?N/ff>/>ff?/>fi/>/.?Nfi Ofi>/Nff>fifi>>Ofi.?N> ? Nff?N//>/?fiff>ff>ff/>fi/>/ff/>/>/ Nfi >/>ff/fiN/N/O NOffOff.N>fi> N NOffN/Off fi?ff//>. NOffff? N/?N/N./O>///O/>ff>//>//>ff?.? //?/NO>fi?NNO>fi>fffi.?N> Soeng Thai Phu Khao (Thai Mountain Tribe Dance) Soeng Thai Phu Khao is a dance inspired by the lifestyle of Phu Thai communities residing along the Phu Phan Mountain Range. The dance depicts a scene of Phu Thai people venturing into the mountains to collect rattan wood and harvest food, such as bamboo shoots, Ya Nang leaves, mushrooms, and other vegetables. After they are done foraging, the people pay respect to the guardian spirits of the mountain before returning home. 132 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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N>Nfi/> O N>Nfi/> NfiOfi>/O.ff/>./fi>N//>.>/ //?N./O.> O fi.>/>>/>fi O O>/>/N//fffffi>.?.//N/?NfiN/>O/>N?O./ff>/>.??fiNfiOfifi?N.fi>.fi>fi Off?OO.ff>. - /> /?Nfi/>NfiOfiN/?N/fffifi/?//?Ofi>/ffO>Nfi>fifiO>fi/ O Soeng Pong Lang (I-san Xylophone Dance) Soeng Pong Lang is a dance of young men and women, performed after the end of daily work and duties. The mood of the dance is joyful, with a dash of playfulness between the opposite sexes. The dancers move to the melodies of the Pong Lang: a type of wooden xylophone that originated from the I-san Region. 134 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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N>./> O N>./> NfiOfi>/O.ffff?OfiN/?//.>fi>/?fi//N?.N/fi?/ O fi?NN?N./?ff/>ff?ff.?fi/NfiOO> /?./>NfiOfiN/?N//?/fi?NfiO>/>fi/>/ff>/N> ?  O NO>?fffiO>fi/fffifi/?fi?N/??//>/>N/O>.fi>.fi>fi Off?OO.ff>. - /> O fiN>/O>N/?.fiOfffffiN>fi>ff///>fi>Ofi>///Nfifi/>/ff/>ff?fffi/> ? />/./.>///>ff/fifiN>/O>/.?Nfi?N?fifi/fiOfi>/?fffi/> O fi/>ff>/ffNO/O/?/>/.fi>.fi>fi /.//O/?fi/>//N>>./> Soeng Sa-wing (Landing Net Dance) Soeng Sa-wing is a folk dance of Northeastern Thailand that depicts the act of fishery. The Sa-wing (landing net), a fishing device, has been adapted as the main prop of this performance. The dance consists of men and woman dancing to upbeat music, mimicking different acts of fishing. The beauty of this dance lies in the creative ability to convey fishing movements through graceful gestures. The dance also contains an element of playfulness between male and female dancers. 136 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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fi/fi.?Nfi O fi/fi.?Nfi NfiOfi>//N>./O>/>/.?Nfi >N/?N O /.>..?fffiN/?fi/> ?O Ofiff>fiOfffi/>N/O/NfiOO>NO/>Nfi?/N>.?ff>fi /?fifi/>/ffffO/.?//?ff fi/fffi/ ./fi/ >..>fiff>N />ff>/>/ fi>./fi/fiOfiN/>./?NfiN/>//?fifi??fi0/N O Nff.ff?Ofi/fi.//N/Offfi?Nfi/>ff>/ffN>Ofi .N/fifi/>.fi>ffff?N.?Off O N/O/ON>ff/>/./.>/N/?N/N/?N/fiN///?/ Fon Phu-Thai (Phu Thai Dance) Fon Phu-Thai is the dance form of the Phu-Tai people, who reside in communities along the Mekong River and Phu Phan Mountain Range, including Nakhon Phanom, Sakon Nakhon, Kalasin and Mukdahan Provinces. The dance is usually performed during holiday celebrations, with choreography being passed down through generations. The dancers wear long artificial fingernails tipped with red-coloured tufts in order the highlight the beauty of hand movements. 138 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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fi/fi.?Nfi 3 NffN> O fi/fi.?Nfi 3 NffN> NfiOfi>/O.ff/?/>>/fi O /fi/O>/>/.?Nfifi?N/>.?. O /.?NfffiNfi?/N>.?ff>fi 3 ?//?ff ?/ >..>fiff>N ./fi/ O/>fi/fffi/ Off?OO.ff>. - /> fi/>/ffffO/.>/O.fffi O /fi//.Nff/>fi O fiN/.?O>/O.ffN//. O/>>/N?O./ff>/>.?/>.-/> > fiN//>Off?OO.ff/>NfiN>fi? O fi O Fon Phu Thai Sam Phao (The Three Phu Thai Dance) Fon Phu Thai Sam Phao is a performance that combines the dances of three Phu Thai communities residing across the Phu Phan Mountain Range: the Kalasin, Sakon Nakhon and Nakhon Phanom communities. Originally, both male and female dancers performed in this dance, with elements of martials arts and courtship interwoven into the performance. Later on, however, a variation of the dance with all-female dancers became more popular. 140 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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fi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi.>/>/?/>/N?N./O/?ff/>ff?/>fi/fiOfifiO/ff> ? N fi.>/> .>fiO/fiff>>/fi/>/ff/>ff />/.fi>.fi>fiff?fiNfi> Nff?N/ffN/fi/>.//?>>/fiO>>fi ? >/O.ffff>>ffNfiOfi>/N?O./ff>/>.??fi/>//N>>.-/> N/?N/fffifi/?fi?Nfi>./ONfiOfi O N/?N/fi/>/ff?//>fiN> N Nfi // Nfifi > N N >ff /?ff N//N NfiOfifiOfi fi>.>/fiNff?OfiffO>fi.>/> 142 />ff>ff.>/fiN

Central Thailand is a fertile land filled with rivers, rice fields, and orchards. Thus, the Central is regarded as an important food cradle of Thailand, with traditional lifestyle of the people relating greatly to agriculture and rivers. This region is also home to the present and ancient capitals of the country. Central Thai performing arts reflects the lifestyle of locals, with dance and music constituting as popular activities for winding down after work. As such, Central Thai dances are energetic and entertaining. Some performances even feature courtship between men and women. Examples of musical instruments commonly featured in dances include Klong (drum), Thone (goblet drum), Ching (cup cymbals), Chap (flat cymbals), Krap (clappers), and Mong (gong). Central Thai Folk Dances />ff>ff.>/fiN 143

/O>Nff>ffNfi> /O>Nff>ffNfi> //?/N/?./?/.N>/N>/O>//.>/ NfiOfi>/O.ff/O>/.//O/ .?/N.O>/fiN>.>.O/>fiN>./> Nff./?>/fi?//.>/NfiOfi?//> N fi/>/ff>/O.fffi?N.fi>.fi>fi/?NfiN/> Ram Thoet Thoeng (Long Drum Dance) Ram Thoet Thoeng, also known as Ram Klong Yao, is a playful dance between men and women that features the long drum as the main prop of the performance. Klong Yao is the name of traditional Thai long drum. The instrument is often played during festive occasions. In Ram Thoet Thoeng, male dancers beat the long drums in cheerful rhythms while dancing alongside female dancers, each taking turn to tease the other side with different dance moves. 144 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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/>ffO>>/fi> />ffO>>/fi> NfiOfi>/O.fffi?N.>fiO/fiO/ON/Ofi/>ff?>/fi/>/ff/>ff.>/// ? />/fi> fi/>/ffffO/.>/Nff //N>fi O/>>/N?N./O>/Ofifi>ffO/./>/.> Off?OO.ff>. - /> Nfi/?.ffN./?/fiNfiOfi>/fi> O Rabam Chao Na (Farmers’ Dance) Rabam Chao Na is a dance inspired by the way of life of Thai farmers. Male and female dancers act out different aspects of rice farming through choreography, including ploughing, sowing, and harvesting. 146 />ff>ff.>/fiN

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/O>//>fi/ff>fi /O>//>fi/ff>fi NfiOfi>/O.fffi?Nfi/?fffi/>/>>>//O>Nfifi fi>./NfiOfi>//>N/Nfi /?NfiN/>fi/>O>0ff?>//Nfi..>/> >N/>ff/fifiN>/O>>O>/fiffNfifi>/Nff/ ///fi?.> O fi 10 Nff/ ?/ Nff/>/O.Nff?/fi Nff/>/Nfi. Nff//O>>/>/O> O Nff/?fiNff?/fi/>. Nff/ff/?fifi/N/?fiNffO Nff/ff/N/O/>fi> Nff/ff/?fifi/N/?fi> Nff//>Nfi.O>/ O Nff/ff?>fi?/ff O/>Nff/./ff>.O/> Ram Wong Mat-tra-than (Thai Standard Circle Dance) Ram Wong Mat-tra-than is the standardized version of the Ram Wong: Thai circle dance. The dance was developed from the Ram Thone dance: a circle dance where the Thone (Thai goblet drum) is used as the main rhythm instrument. Ram Wong is usually performed during annual festive celebrations of the Central Thai people. The choreography is determined by the ten standard songs, including Ngam Saeng Duan (Beautiful Moonlight), Chao Thai (Thai People), Ram Si Ma Ram (Come Dance!), Khuen Duean Ngai (Moonlit Night), Duang Chan Wan Phen (Full Moon), Dok Mai Khong Chat (Flower of the Nation), Duang Chan Khwan Fa (Moon of the Sky), Ying Thai Chai Ngam (Thai Ladies, Beautiful Hearts), Bu Cha Nak Rop (Praising Warriors), and Yot Chai Chai Han (Great Brave Men). 148 />ff>ff.>/fiN