The Thai National Anthem, also simply referred to as the National Anthem, is the national anthem of Thailand. It was officially adopted in its current form on 10 December 1939. It replaced "Sansoen Phra Barami" as the civilian anthem in 1932 (the latter is still used as the royal anthem of Thailand). The melody was composed by Phra Chenduriyang (Peter Feit), and the official lyrics were written by Luang Saranupraphan.
Prior to 1939, when Thailand was internationally known as "Siam", 2 different lyrical versions were used—each one by different authors.
History
Origin of the melody of "Siamese National Anthem"
thumb|left|150px|Phleng Chat Siam sheet music (cover page) in 1933.
thumb|left|150px|[[Phra Chenduriyang, composer of the anthem.]]
According to an autobiography of Phra Chenduriyang (a royal music advisor to the Thai court) written in 1954, he was asked by Luang Nithetkolakit (หลวงนิเทศกลกิจ), his friend in the Royal Siamese Navy, to write a new song for used as the "national anthem of Siam" and this song should be similar to La Marseillaise, the French national anthem. Phra Chenduriyang refused this request because he was a loyal liegeman of the king. Moreover, Sansoen Phra Barami, the Siamese royal anthem, was still used as de facto national anthem of Siam and this request was not made by order of the Siamese government. Although his friend still asked repeatedly, Phra Chenduriyang tried to dodge the request because he knew that new anthem may intricate to some political movement due to rumor of the coup d'état in that time.
About 5 days after the coup d'état, or the so-called "revolution", in June 1932, Luang Nithetkolakit now revealed that he was a member of the People's Party. He regretted that the party has no proper song to used as a new anthem for their success revolution, and asked Phra Chenduriyang again to write the new national anthem. The request in this time was made by the new power of the regime in Siam so Phra Chenduriyang must reluctantly composed the anthem. He promised for the new anthem in 7 days and completed it in 6 July 1932 during the tram ride from Tha Tien to Bang Khun Phrom for going to do his regular job at Suan Misakawan, near Dusit Palace. He arranged the new anthem in the tune vaguely similar to the national anthem of Poland, Poland Is Not Yet Lost, for the Royal Siamese Navy Orchestra and also asked to no reveal his name as the composer. Although this song was popular with the general public, it was not officially declared as the national anthem and was passed down among Thai people without anyone knowing its clear origin. It appears that there was a copy of Khun Wichitmatra's national anthem lyrics submitted to a competition for the official national anthem lyrics by another people in 1933, claiming that he was the composer.
Due to some lines mentioned about seizing the power (refers to the Siamese revolution of 1932), the original unofficial lyrics were therefore banned by the Siamese government because it was feared that they would incite unrest and lead to a coup against the current government. These lines were revised for the official lyrics of the national anthem competition in 1934 (shown in bold texts).
<div style="overflow-x:auto;">
{| class="wikitable"
!Thai original
!Latin script
!IPA transcription
! English translation
|- style="vertical-align:top; white-space:nowrap;"
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem>Siamese land is renowned as the land of gold.
The Thais have conquered this beautiful land.
The lineage of Thai people were tracing back to ancient times.
We united to defense the independence of Thai race.
In some eras, our foes have attacked us.
But the Thais gathered their forces to suppressing the enemies.
With blood, we fought for our sovereignty
And hitherto we have kept Siam alive.
This Siamese land is the bulwark of the Thai race
Our blood runs through this nation's veins.
Independence is like the bones we honor
We will rise and stand as one.
To take power and hold the rights of independence and freedom
There will be no mercy for those who dishonor it.
We shall massacre them until their last.
To glorify our great Siamese land, horray!</poem>
|}</div>
The official national anthem competition
In 1934, the Siamese government held a competition for new official national anthem lyrics. The National Anthem Selection Committee was in charge, chaired by Prince Wan Waithayakon, with other members including Phra Riem Wiratchaphak, Phra Chenduriyang, Luang Chamnan Nitikaset, Changwang Thua Pathayakosol, and Mr. Montri Tramote. The competition offered two versions of the national anthem: a Thai-style anthem (composed by adapting traditional Thai music) and a Western-style anthem. The results of the competition were as follows:
The Thai-style anthem
thumb|left|Sheet music for the melody of "Mahanimit," a candidate of Siamese national anthem in Thai-style, composed by Changwang [[Thua Pathayakosol.]]
The National Anthem Selection Committee decided that "Mahanimit," composed by Changwang Thua Pathayakosol (จางวางทั่ว พาทยโกศล), was the winning entry. Changwang Thua adapted "Tra Nimit," a significant Thai classical piece, into a Western-style arrangement. "Tra Nimit" is considered a master piece, used in important ceremonies such as teacher-worship ceremonies, to invoke teachers, deities, and blessings. Therefore, its auspicious meaning makes it suitable as the Thai national anthem.
The government broadcast the piece on radio for a period, but when the National Anthem Selection Committee was about to submit the winning entry to the Cabinet for official approval, they met and agreed that the national anthem's sacred nature, combined with the use of two existing songs, would diminish its sacredness. Ultimately, they decided not to submit the chosen Thai-style national anthem to the Cabinet for official approval.
The Western-style anthem
The National Anthem Selection Committee recommended the melody composed by Phra Chenduriyang as the official national anthem in the Western style. For the lyrics, they selected the winning entry, a revised version by Khun Wichitmatra, and added a version written by second prize winner Mr. Chan Khamwilai (ฉันท์ ขำวิไล). The Cabinet officially approved these lyrics as the official national anthem on August 20, 1934.
Both Khun Wichitmatra and Mr. Chan's lyrics were composed in the eight-line verse form (klon suphap), consisting of four stanzas, each with four lines. Therefore, each entry had 16 lines, bringing the total length of the lyrics to 32 lines. Singing all four stanzas would take approximately 3 minutes and 52 seconds (averaging 35 seconds per section, including the instrumental intro). At that time, most Thais preferred to sing only Khun Wichitmatra's version, and later, the song was no longer sung, remaining only as an instrumental piece.
Official lyrics between 1934-1939
First and Second stanzas
The 1st and 2nd stanzas were written by Khun Wichitmatra. This is a revised version from the original unofficial lyrics in 1932 (shown in bold texts).
<div style="overflow-x:auto;">
{| class="wikitable"
!Thai original
!Latin script
!IPA transcription
!English translation
|- style="vertical-align:top; white-space:nowrap;"
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem>Siamese land is renowned as the land of gold.
The Thais have conquered this beautiful land.
The Thai people have served it ever since the Ancient times.
United, we have defended it
In some eras, our foes have attacked us.
But the Thais sacrificed their lives to save their motherland.
With blood, we fought for our sovereignty
And hitherto we have kept Siam alive.
This Siamese land is the bulwark of the Thai race
Our blood runs through this nation's veins.
Independence is like a pagoda we honor
We will rise and stand as one.
To protect our motherland and sovereignty so dear.
There will be no mercy for those who dishonor it.
We shall massacre them until their last.
To glorify our great Siamese land, hurrah!</poem>
|}</div>
Third and Fourth stanzas
The 3rd and 4th stanzas were written by Chan Khamwilai.
<div style="overflow-x:auto;">
{| class="wikitable"
!Thai original
!Latin script
!IPA transcription
!English translation
|- style="vertical-align:top; white-space:nowrap;"
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem>Let us all sacrifice our lives
To maintain the rights to freedom the land of Siam
That the ancestors tried to fight until their death
Eliminate the enemies of Thailand to perish!
Even though the Thai disaster is inferior
But still able to restore the independence back
It is an honor to the beautiful Ayutthaya
That is not an end to good people!
All of us, we are of Thai blood
Doesn't allow anyone to oppress us
Protect rights and freedom
When disaster helped each other until the day of death!
If we die, the name will be spread
That Thailand is firmly in love with the nation
Have great friendship for both men and women
The glorious Siam will never be lost, Hurrah!</poem>
|}</div>
Short instrumental version
thumb|left|Sheet music of the short instrumental version of Siamese National Anthem
In 1935, the government of Phraya Phahonphonphayuhasena issued regulations regarding the performance of the Royal Anthem and National Anthem, dated February 4, 1935 (effective February 15 of the same year). These regulations stipulated two versions of the performance: a full-length version and a shortened version. For the National Anthem, the shortened version was to be played at public ceremonies, social gatherings, and especially at regular events. The full-length version was to be used only at major ceremonies.
The abridged version of the national anthem used in this instrumental rendition consists of the last two lines of lyrics, which are typically played as the introduction to the anthem. This short piece is approximately 10 seconds long and does not include any vocal accompaniment.
|-
| || || Rattanakosin (Siam) de facto national anthem. Used as the royal anthem of Siam (later Thailand) only since 1932.
|-
| || || Originally used as an honor music for other members of the royal family and Siamese military unit colours.
|-
| || 1934 || A proposed melody which was a candidate for the official Siamese national anthem in Thai-style. Based on a piece of Thai traditional music named "Tra Mimit". The National Anthem Selection Committee in 1934 decided not to submit this song to the Cabinet for official approval.
|-
| || ||After the Siamese revolution of 1932, the anthem was classified into two factions, Phleng Chat Thai was used as the new national anthem and Sansoen Phra Barami was still used as the royal anthem. In 1939 the country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand, and the words "Siam" in the anthem's lyrics was changed to "Thai".
|}
Current official version
<div style="overflow-x:auto;">
{| class="wikitable"
!Thai original
!Latin script
!IPA transcription
!English translation
|- style="vertical-align:top; white-space:nowrap;"
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem></poem>
|<poem>The flesh and blood of every Thai united,
This land of Thailand sacred to every Thai!
Their sway since days of yore persisted,
Love and unity heart of every Thai!
Though the Thais love peace, dauntlessly we fight,
Our freedom shan't be taken away!
We'll sacrifice ourselves with every nations,
Long live the glorious and victorious Thailand, hooray!</poem>
|}
</div>
Customs and laws
Respect to the anthem
thumb|[[Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister and Suthep Thaugsuban standing and singing the anthem.]]
It is a common social expectation in Thailand for everyone to stop what they are doing and stand at attention to pay homage to the anthem played, which is placed twice a day, at 08:00 and again at 18:00. During the anthem's course, the national flag is also hoisted up (at 08:00) or down (at 18:00) at applicable flag poles. Should there be any occurrence in which the flag is to be hoisted at half-mast, the flag is to be raised the pole's full height first, before being reduced to half-mast (to hoist during the day) or to fully hoist down (for the night).
Students in school assemble before raised flag and sing the national anthem at 08:00 every school day, and students who are late for this assemble are traditionally marked as late. The National Anthem is also played at government offices, especially in military camps and police stations, and also include public spaces such as local bus stations.
According to the practice dates during the Plaek Phibunsongkhram era, those who did not observe the custom by standing in silence during the anthem were subject to a fine of up to 2,000 baht and not more than one year in prison, but this law has since been abolished. Thus, at present, there is no longer any compulsion to stand upright and respect the national flag. But most people still voluntarily do so. It is nonetheless still mandatory for military and police personnel to assemble and salute the National Flag and Anthem, as mandated by code of conduct.
In media outlets
{| class="wikitable"
! Thai Original
! English Translation
|-
| <poem></poem>
| <poem>The Thai National Flag and Anthem
Are the symbols of Thai Identity
Let us, in united volition, rise and show respect to the National Flag
In pride of our independent sovereignty
And the sacrifice of Thai ancestors</poem>
|}
In media outlets, right before the national anthem would be played (at designated times), some prelude media are played. These media include a prelude song known as "พม่าประเทศ", or a recital of importance (as listed above), or a time announcement, or any combinations.
Commonly, television stations play only the recital, and radio channels play all of the above media sets.
See also
- "Sansoen Phra Barami", the Thai national anthem officially used before 1932, and still used as the country's royal anthem.
- Thaification
Notes
References
External links
- Recordings of the National and Royal Anthem of Thailand and others honor musics from Thai Government Public Relations Department
- Thailand: Phleng Chat Thai - Audio of the national anthem of Thailand, with information and lyrics
- เพลงชาติไทย (Thai National Anthem)
- The common music video for the Thai national anthem, made by the Royal Thai Government, which has been adopted by all Thai TV channels since July 2019. The recital of importance is also included.
- English lyrics to the Thai National Anthem
- A website dedicated to information on Thai National Anthem (Thai Language)