English: Thai National Anthem | |
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เพลงชาติไทย | |
![]() Thai national anthem notes, published by the National Identity Board, Office of the Prime Minister, in accordance with the Cabinet Resolution dated 30 Dec 2003 | |
National anthem of Thailand | |
Lyrics | Luang Saranupraphan, 1939 |
Music | Phra Chenduriyang, 1932 |
Adopted | 1932 |
Readopted | 1939 (with current name and lyrics) 1949 |
Relinquished | 1946 |
Preceded by | Sansoen Phra Barami (as national anthem) |
Audio sample | |
U.S. Navy Band instrumental rendition in C-sharp major |
The Thai National Anthem, [a] also simply referred to as the National Anthem, [b] 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.
Name | Date | Notes |
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Sansoen Phra Narai (Thai : สรรเสริญพระนารายณ์) (Glorify the King Narai) | 1687–1688 | Ayutthaya Kingdom unofficial national anthem in 1946–1949 |
Chom Rat Chong Charoen (Thai : จอมราชจงเจริญ) (Long Live the Great King) | 1852–1871 | Siamese Rattanakosin period royal anthem and national anthem, introduced by King Mongkut (used the melody of God Save the King) |
Bulan Loi Luean (Thai : บุหลันลอยเลื่อน) (The Floating Moon On the Sky) | 1871–1888 | which was the royal composition of King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (Rama II) for use as the new anthem. King Chulalongkorn later ordered Mr.Heutsen, a Dutch bandmaster who served in the Royal Siamese Army, to arrange the song in western style for performing by the military band. According to a research of Sugree Charoensuk, an associate professor from Mahidol University, the melody of this anthem may be the same tune with another anthem named Sansoen Suea Pa (Thai : เพลงสรรเสริญเสือป่า : Tiger Corps Hymn) which was used as the anthem of the Wild Tiger Corps since 1911. [1] |
Sansoen Phra Barami (Thai : สรรเสริญพระบารมี) (Glorify His Prestige) | 1888–1932 Royal anthem since 1932 | Rattanakosin period national anthem. It became the Royal anthem in 1932. |
Maha Chai (Thai : มหาชัย) (Grand Victory) | 1895 Provisional National Anthem in 1932 | Other members of the royal family and colours party of the unit colour in slow march |
Phleng Maha Nimit (Thai : ตระนิมิตร / มหานิมิตร) (Grand Vision) | 1934 | |
Phleng Chat Siam Phleng Chat Thai (Thai : เพลงชาติสยาม / เพลงชาติไทย) | 1932–1946 1949–present | After Siamese revolution of 1932, the anthem was classified into 2 factions, Phleng Chat Thai was used as national anthem and Sansoen Phra Barami was still used as royal anthem. In 1939 the country's name was changed from Siam to Thailand and the anthem's lyrics was changed from the words Siam to Thai. |
Before 1932, Sansoen Phra Barami (the Royal Anthem) was used as the national anthem of Siam.
The anthem was composed a few days after the revolution of 1932 in the tune vaguely similar to the national anthem of Poland, Poland Is Not Yet Lost, and was first broadcast in July 1932. The original lyrics were by Khun Wichitmatra.
The original lyrics were penned by Khun Wichitmatra under the title "Phleng Chat Sayam" (Thai : เพลงชาติสยาม). It was briefly in use from 1932 to 1934, when the lyrics were modified by Chan Khamwilai.
Thai original | English translation | ||||||
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| Siamese land is renowned as the land of gold. |
In 1934, Thai government launched competitions for the official national anthem, for both melody and lyrics. Changwang Tua Phathayakoson (จางวางทั่ว พัทยโกศล) composed a tune in a traditional style called Phleng Maha Nimit, but Phra Chenduriyang's melody was selected because it sounded more modern.
After that, in the competition for the lyrics with Phra Chenduriyang's music, the original words by Khun Wichitmatra took first prize. They were in use until 1939, with a minor edit and an additional version written by second prize winner Chan Khamvilai (ฉันท์ ขำวิไล) adopted in 1934. [2] [3] [4]
The lyrics to "Phlēng chāt Sayām" were changed by Chan Khamwilai, whose version was in use until 1939 when the name of Siam was officially changed to "Thailand".
Thai original | English translation | ||||||
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| Let us all sacrifice our lives |
In 1939, when the name of the country was changed from Siam to Thailand, a competition was launched to create new lyrics, with those by Luang Saranupraphan winning. Thai prime minister Plaek Phibunsongkhram ordered the anthem to be played every day at 08:00 and 18:00 (8 AM and 6 PM), and ordered the populace to stand up to show respect for the nation. Nowadays, the morning and evening anthems correspond to the hoisting and lowering of the national flags in public areas (e.g. schools, workplaces, public buildings), respectively; hence, the anthem is broadcast by both radio and television channels twice per day from 1980's.
Thai original | English translation | ||||||
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| The flesh and blood of every Thai united, |
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 occurence 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. [5] Thus, at present, there is no longer any compulsion to stand upright and respect the national flag. But most people still voluntarily do so. [6] 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.
Thai Original | English Translation |
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ธงชาติและเพลงชาติไทย | The Thai National Flag and Anthem |
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, televisions plays only the recital, and radio channels play all of the above media sets.