This study consists of five compositions/arrangements and one excerpt of a composition from the folk music of Thailand for Western percussion solo and ensembles. These compositions/arrangements were selected from Thai folk songs from the four regions of Thailand (central, northern, northeastern, and southern) in order to represent each region's culture and characteristics: Bats Eat Bananas for percussion ensemble, plus an excerpt for mallet percussion (from the central region); Long Mae Ping Fantasia for marimba solo and percussion ensemble (from the northern region); Mang Poo Tom Dok for percussion ensemble (from the northeastern region); and Krao Talung Dance for percussion ensemble (from the southern region). This study also includes a history of the selected folk songs and the instruments used, a brief introduction to traditional Thai percussion instruments and techniques, and a discussion of how these techniques can be adapted to Western instruments.
The purpose of this study is to introduce Thai music into Western awareness through the medium of Western percussion instruments. It also serves to assist Thai musicians, especially percussionists, in bringing Western percussion to Thailand and also generating renewed interest among Thai audiences for their own folk music—not only creating a new fusion style of music but also helping keep traditional Thai music alive for future generations.