Taphon drum ตะโพน and Ranat Ek ระนาด

Thai classical music is closely connected with the opus of court ensembles that were first formed in Central Thailand some 800 years ago. At first heavily influenced by Khmer and Indian traditions, this music has evolved into distinctive Thai melodies. The most important ensembles differ in their expression, but their work is altogether based on the same theory and approach. All of them use the same instruments to determine the rhythm and several similarities can be found with the classical Khmer orchestras and some other musical ensembles in Southeastern Asia.