The Thai National Anthem
For those who are into Thailand want to integrate, and there are undoubtedly many on this blog, it is necessary that they can sing the Thai national anthem at the top of their lungs.
For everyone else, it might be nice to know what this song, performed every day at 08.00 a.m. and 18.00 p.m., actually means.
The words are by Loeang Saranoeprapan and the melody is by Phra Jendoeriyaang (Peter Feit, a German, working as a musician at the court) and the national anthem was officially adopted on December 10, 1939. Prime Minister Plaeg Phiboensongkhraam passed a law requiring everyone to stand during the national anthem. This law is still in effect. If you don't stand up, you can be accused of lèse-majesté.
Thai national anthem in Thai script
(เพลงชาติไทย, phleng chaat thai, mean tone, falling tone, mean tone)
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Thai national anthem, romanized
Pratheed Thai roeam leuad neua chaat cheua thai
Pen prachaarat phathai khong thai thoek suean
Joe damrong khong wai dai thangmoean
Duay thai luan maize rak saamakkhie
Thai nie rak sangop tae thueng rop mai khlaat
Eekaraad ja mai hai khrai khom khie
sala leuad thoek jaad pen chaat phlie
Thaloeng pratheed chaat thai thawie mie chai
CHAJO!
Thai national anthem, Dutch translation
We Thais are one of flesh and blood
Every inch of soil belongs to the Thais
It has long been a sovereign nation
Because the Thais have always been united
Thais are peace-loving but not cowards at war
No one can violate their independence
And they do not tolerate tyranny
All Thais are ready for every drop of blood,
To sacrifice for the security, liberty and progress of the nation.
HURRAH!
Thanx Tino! I used to be speechless at the BTS station at six o'clock in the evening, but those times are now (for good) over. Can now sing along with full chest, thanks to you 🙂
Thank you! During my stay in Thailand I always stopped what I was doing at the time to listen to the national anthem, sometimes even with my right hand on my chest! It is a melody that I easily remember. Only I see that I have always understood the word 'samakkhie' as 'sabai dee'!
That you stopped what you were doing is respectful and understandable, however, that with your hand on your chest - the Thai don't even do that - it can be assumed that you have contracted a persistent 'Thailand virus' among the members that has damaged the lenses of your glasses. have become very deep pink.
I have seen the Thai do it, but it depends on where someone is at that moment and what they experience at such moments. And no my glasses are really not that pink, take it from me 🙂
Not so long ago there was an article on this blog stating that Thai people think it's downright ridiculous when a farang sings along with the Thai national anthem, or at least tries to! Because: “A farang remains a farang”. I believe the author of that article is absolutely right. And now another author comes to say that it would be necessary, if you want to integrate, to be able to sing along with this national anthem at the top of your lungs. I believe Tino Kuis meant to be funny here. But the national anthem is just as sacred as the royal family, you can't mock that!
I believe that it is better that the farang who is busy with his integration, like me, should know his place and better keep aloof during the national anthem, to avoid annoyance or hilarity from the Thai.
Incidentally, it is of course very interesting to read the translation of that national anthem once, so that you understand what those Thai people are singing.
Indeed Robbie,
You don't have to sing along to feel a little Thai.
Today there is also an article about being “Thai”.
And putting your hand on your chest during the national anthem is something only football players do before a match to legitimately kick an opponent half to death.
During my daily golf round, I also stand still during the national anthem and when I hum along, the caddies smile.
Tino,
You write that many on this blog would like to sing along with the Thai national anthem. At the integration, that's how you write, they want to sing along. Do you know Tino, that most NLers
don't know the Dutch national anthem beyond the first line? Do you know Tino, that the
most Dutch people staying here in Thailand, (also applies to me) are not very good Thai
speak than you?
Allow me some comments:
1. I can hardly say, let alone sing: “We Thais”.
2. The "romanised" text consists of 8 lines plus the cry CHAJOI, the Dutch translation consists of 9 lines plus the cry HOERA. If I can calculate well (and I can) then I come to the assumption that there might be a line missing in the Thai text.
3. What you say, including what you sing, must be true, and if appropriate, you must live up to your words (in this case, "offer every drop of your blood"). I don't intend to be heroic, don't I promise.
Dear Chalow,
1. Willem van Nassau (spoken in Dutch national anthem was of German Blood, Willem van Doorn is not.
2. My sincere admiration for your apparent knowledge of the Thai language.
3. That German Willem is “den Vaderlande” (so Germany I think) “faithful to the end”. Well, not this Dutch Willem the same “Fatherlande”, and the “King of Spain has always honored that German Willem”? Well, not to his “does” anyway. If there is a National Anthem that you can indeed not take literally (and not historically correct), then it is the Dutch National Anthem. I listen to it, I think about it (I don't want to disturb the 'believers') but don't sing along.
I can't just make a statement about the Thai National Anthem. Well, I think that what I said in other words, it is not made for me. So even then: I stand still and remain silent.
Otherwise, see a lot of Thai people who just stay put or walk on and otherwise just keep on doing what they are doing, just look around outside in the public space at those times and then I haven't even mentioned when people are behind a sign at those times rice or bowl of noodle soup is…
This is also the case, for example, in public communal areas where there is a TV, such as shops and shopping malls or in the lounge of the hotel where you are staying, yes, people get up because it is a welcome break from a program to get a drink at the bar.
I think it goes without saying as a farang or as a guest of the country that it should be respected, let that be clear, but I myself always look around first and adapt myself to it, if I see that many stand up, then of course I will not sit down either or continue or vice versa.
From now on I'm going to listen in the cinema at the top of my lungs…I used to do it only half-heartedly. Years ago I once didn't get up and had a flashlight shined on me until the song was over…I was a little ashamed of my misbehaviour.
On the street I have not noticed that it is played twice a day.
By the way, I am of German blood. But not German.
What is played in the cinema is not the national anthem but a song written by the PR department for the glory of the king. Getting up is a sign of respect and foreigners should also adhere to it (I also went wrong the first time).
Indeed, the Royal Anthem is played in the cinema but also at the end of the schools, for example. Here is the text:
We, servants of His great Majesty, prostrate our heart and head, to pay respect to the ruler, whose merits are boundless, outstanding in the great Chakri dynasty, the greatest of Siam, with great and lasting honor, (We are) secure and peaceful because of your royal rule, results of king cure (is) people in happiness and in peace, May it be that whatever you want, be done according to the hopes of your great heart as we wish (you) victory, hurrah!
We Thais are one of flesh and blood
Every inch of soil belongs to the Thais
If you read these 2 lines, you will also understand why the Thai is so appatic about fundamental rights for foreigners. Not a year goes by without someone at a high level shouting this danger, land in foreign hands.
I'm afraid that if I sing along with my singing skills, I will be arrested for insulting Thailand.
The funny thing is that the Thai national anthem doesn't sound Thai or even Eastern at all. More like German marching music.
Foreign? Not if you consider that the composer is half German, namely Peter Feit, son of a German immigrant and a Thai woman. He was born in Thailand and has always lived there.
Apparently music is more in the genes than it is socio-culturally determined. Judge yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrcGzLIEsAU
At the first time it was also for me to look around me,
who is singing or not. On my next visit to the cinema,
I'll just go Playback, seems better to me!!!!!
Greeting …. Roland .
During my first cinema visits in Thailand almost 25 years ago, everyone always stood for the Royal Anthem and that always remained very normal with Bhumipol as king. However, since his son became king, I was surprised that “no one” stood up anymore, especially the young people seemed to no longer feel like doing so. Now I recently went to the cinema again and I think that of the 100 people, 10 of them stood up, including me because my girlfriend had to. However, nowadays I go to every home match of our provincial club in the Thai League and before kick-off the 2 teams and referees stand in a straight line towards the screen where the Royal Anthem is playing. Just when everyone in the entire stadium, young and old, stands towards the screen. I personally have no connection with the royal family, not in Thailand and not in the Netherlands, but this moment of respect is actually quite nice. What I was told is that the Royal Anthem was the former national anthem, I personally think the Royal Anthem sounds nicer, but it is more difficult to sing along, which I never actually see anyone do.
I'm not nationalistic at all, but strangely enough I always get tears in my eyes when I hear a national anthem, no matter which country.
Apparently there is something in the sound of the voices or the melody that has an effect on my mind.
Or could it be because of the meaning it has? I have to know that it is a national anthem otherwise it doesn't work.