Thai National Anthem

Phlēng chā̂t Thai

English: 'Thai National Anthem'
เพลงชาติไทย
Lyrics of the Thai national anthem, published in the Royal Thai Government Gazette on 10 December 1939
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 file help

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" in 1932, which remains 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 then known as "Siam", two different lyrical versions were used—each one by different authors.

Periodization

Historical national anthem

Name	Date	Notes
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.
Sansoen Phra Barami (Thai: สรรเสริญพระบารมี) (Glorify His Prestige)	1888–1932 Royal anthem since 1932	Rattanakosin period national anthem
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.

Historical background

Before 1932

Before 1932, Sansoen Phra Barami (the Royal Anthem) was used as the national anthem of Siam.

After 1932

Phleng Chat Siam sheet music (cover page) in 1933

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.

Original lyrics

Sheet music of Phleng Chat in 1934, in use with the longer lyrics until 1939

The original lyrics were penned by Khun Wichitmatra under the title "Phlēng chā̂t Sàyā̌m" (Thai: เพลงชาติสยาม). It was briefly in use from 1932 to 1934, when the lyrics were modified by Chan Khamwilai.

Thai original

English translation

Thai script Latin script IPA transcription แผ่นดินสยามนามประเทืองว่าเมืองทอง ไทยเข้าครองตั้งประเทศเขตต์แดนสง่า สืบเผ่าไทยดึกดำบรรพ์โบราณลงมา รวมรักษาสามัคคีทวีไทย บางสมัยศัตรูจู่โจมตี ไทยพลีชีพร่วมรวมรุกไล่ เข้าลุยเลือดหมายมุ่งผดุงผะไท สยามสมัยบุราณรอดตลอดมา อันดินสยามคือว่าเนื้อของเชื้อไทย น้ำรินไหลคือว่าเลือดของเชื้อข้า เอกราษฎร์คือเจดีย์ที่เราบูชา เราจะสามัคคีร่วมมีใจ รักษาชาติประเทศเอกราชจงดี ใครย่ำยีเราจะไม่ละให้ เอาเลือดล้างให้สิ้นแผ่นดินของไทย สถาปนาสยามให้เทอดไทยไชโย Phę̄̀ndin sàyā̌m nām pràthưang wā̂ mưang thǭng Thai khâo khrǭng tâng pràthē̂t khḕt dę̄n sàngā̀ Sư̄̀p phào thai dừkdamban bōrān long mā Ruam ráksā̌ sā̌mákkī táwī thai Bāng sàmǎi sattrū cū̀ cōmtī Thai phlī chī̂p rûam ruam rúk lâi Kâo lui lư̂at mā̌i mûng phàdung phàtai Sàyā̌m sàmǎi bùrān rǭ̂t tàlǭ̀t mā An din sàyām khư̄ wā̂ nứa khǭ̌ng chứa thai Nā́m rin lǎi khư̄ wā̂ lư̂at khǭ̌ng chứa khā̂ Ḕkkàrā̂t khư̄ cēdī thī̂ rao būchā Rao cà sā̌mákkī rûam mī chai Ráksā̌ chā̂t pràthē̂t ḕkkàrā̂t cong dī Khrai yâmyī rao cà mâi lá hâi Ao lư̂at lā́ng hâi sîn phę̄̀ndin khǭ̌ng thai Sàthā̌pànā sàyā̌m hâi thơ̄̂t thai cháiyō [pʰɛ̀ːn.dīn sà.jǎːm nāːm prà.tʰɯ̄ːəŋ wâː mɯ̄ːəŋ tʰɔ̄ːŋ |] [tʰāj kʰâw kʰrɔ̄ːŋ tâŋ prà.tʰêːt̚ kʰèːt̚ dɛ̄ːn sà.ŋàː ‖] [sɯ̀ːp̚ pʰàw tʰāj dɯ̀k̚.dām.bān bōː.rāːn lōŋ māː |] [rūːəm rák̚.sǎː sǎː.mák̚.kīː tʰá.wīː tʰāj ‖] [bāːŋ sà.mǎj sat̚.trūː t͡ɕùː t͡ɕōːm.tīː |] [tʰāj pʰlīː t͡ɕʰîːp̚ rûːəm rūːəm rúk̚ lâj ‖] [kʰâw lūj lɯ̂ːət̚ mǎːj mûŋ pʰà.dūŋ pʰà.tʰāj |] [sà.jǎm sà.mǎj bù.rāːn rɔ̂ːt̚ tà.lɔ̀ːt̚ māː ‖] [ʔān dīn sà.jǎːm kʰɯ̄ː wâː nɯ́ːə kʰɔ̌ːŋ t͡ɕʰɯ́ːə tʰāj |] [náːm rīn lǎj kʰɯ̄ː wâː nɯ́ːə kʰɔ̌ːŋ t͡ɕʰɯ́ːə kʰâː ‖] [ʔèk̚.kà.râːt̚ kʰɯ̄ː t͡ɕēː.dīː tʰîː rāw būː.t͡ɕʰāː |] [rāw t͡ɕàʔ sǎː.mák.kʰīː rûːəm mīː t͡ɕāj ‖] [rák.sǎː t͡ɕʰâːt̚ prà.tʰêːt̚ ʔèk̚.kà.râːt̚ t͡ɕōŋ dīː |] [kʰrāj jâm.jīː rāw t͡ɕà mâj láʔ hâj ‖] [ʔāw lɯ̂ət̚ láːŋ hâj sîn pʰɛ̀ːn.dīn kʰɔ̌ːŋ tʰāj |] [sà.tʰǎː.pà.nāː sà.jǎːm hâj tʰɤ̂ːt̚ tʰāj t͡ɕāj.jōː ‖]

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!

First national anthem competition

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.

Second national anthem competition

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.

Pre–1939 lyrics

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

Thai script Latin script IPA transcription เหล่าเราทั้งหลายขอน้อมกายถวายชีวิต รักษาสิทธิ์อิสสระณแดนสยาม ที่พ่อแม่สู้ยอมม้วยด้วยพยายาม ปราบเสี้ยนหนามให้พินาศสืบชาติมา แม้ถึงภัยไทยด้อยจนย่อยยับ ยังกู้กลับคงคืนได้ชื่นหน้า ควรแก่นามงามสุดอยุธยา นั้นมิใช่ว่าจะขัดสนหมดคนดี เหล่าเราทั้งหลายเลือดและเนื้อเชื้อชาติไทย มิให้ใครเข้าเหยียบย่ำขยำขยี้ ประคับประคองป้องสิทธิ์อิสสระเสรี เมื่อภัยมีช่วยกันจนวันตาย จะสิ้นชีพไว้ชื่อให้ลือลั่น ว่าไทยมั่นรักชาติไม่ขาดสาย มีไมตรีดียิ่งทั้งหญิงทั้งชาย สยามมิวายผู้มุ่งหมายเชิดชัยไชโย Lào rao tháng lā̌i khǭ̌ nǭ́m kāi thàwǎi chīwít Râksā̌ sìt ìtsàrà ná dę̄n sàyā̌m Thī̂ phǭ̂ mę̄̂ sū̂ yǭm múai dûai pháyāyām Prā̀p sîan nā̌m hâi phínā̂t sư̄̀p chā̂t mā Mę̄́ thư̌ng phai thai dǭ̂i con yǭ̂i yáp Yang kū̂ klàp khong khưn dâi cư̄̂n nā̂ Khuan kę̄̀ nām gām sùt àyúttháyā Nán mí chái wā̂ cà khàt sǒn mòt khon dī Lào rao tháng lā̌i lư̂at lę́ nứa chứa chā̂t thai Mí hâi khrai khâo yìap yâm khàyǎm khàyī̌ Pràkháp pràkhǭng pǭ̂ng sìt ìtsàrà sē̂rī Mư̂a phai mī chûai kan con wan tāi Cà sîn chī̂p wái chư̄̂ hâi lư̄ lân Wā̂ thai mǎn rák chā̂t mâi khàt sā̌i Mī maitrī dī yîng tháng yîng tháng chāi Sàyā̌m mí wāi phū̂ mûng mā̌i chơ̄̂t chai chaiyō [làw rāw tʰáŋ lǎːj kʰɔ̌ː nɔ́ːm kāːj tʰà.wǎj t͡ɕʰīː.wít̚ |] [râk̚.sǎː sìt̚ ʔìt̚.sà.ràʔ náʔ dɛ̄ːn sà.jǎːm ‖] [tʰîː pʰɔ̂ː mɛ̂ː sûː jɔ̄ːm múəj dûəj pʰá.jāː.jāːm |] [pràːp̚ sîːən.nǎːm hâj pʰí.nâːt̚ sɯ̀ːp̚ t͡ɕʰâːt̚ māː ‖] [mɛ́ː tʰɯ̌ŋ pʰāj tʰāj dɔ̂ːj t͡ɕōn jɔ̂ːj jáp̚ |] [jāŋ kûː klàp̚ kʰōŋ kʰɯ̄ːn dâj t͡ɕɯ̂ːn nâː ‖] [kʰūːən kɛ̀ː nāːm ŋāːm sùt̚ ʔà.jút̚.tʰá.jaː |] [nán míʔ t͡ɕʰáj wâː t͡ɕàʔ kʰàt̚ sǒn mòt̚ kʰōn.dīː ‖] [làw rāw tʰáŋ lǎːj lɯ̂ːət̚ lɛ́ nɯ́ːə t͡ɕʰɯ́ːə t͡ɕhâːt̚ tʰāj |] [míʔ hâj kʰrāj kʰâw jìːəp̚ jâm kʰà.jǎm kʰà.jǐː ‖] [prà.kʰáp̚ prà.kʰɔ̄ːŋ pɔ̂ːŋ sìt ʔìt.sà.ràʔ sêː.riː |] [mɯ̂ːə pʰāj mīː t͡ɕʰûəj kān t͡ɕōn wān tāːj ‖] [t͡ɕàʔ sîn t͡ɕʰîːp̚ wáj t͡ɕʰɯ̂ː hâj lɯ̄ː lân |] [wâː tʰāj mǎn rák̚ t͡ɕʰâːt̚ mâj kʰàt̚ sǎːj ‖] [mīː māj.trīː dīː jîng tʰáŋ jîŋ tʰáŋ t͡ɕʰāːj |] [sà.jǎːm míʔ wāːj phûː mûŋ mǎːj t͡ɕʰɤ̂ːt̚ t͡ɕʰāj t͡ɕʰāj.jōː ‖]

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 glory of Siam will never be lost, Hurrah!

Thai Cultural Revolution

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.

Current official version

Thai original

English translation

Thai script Latin script IPA transcription ประเทศไทยรวมเลือดเนื้อชาติเชื้อไทย เป็นประชารัฐ ไผทของไทยทุกส่วน อยู่ดำรงคงไว้ได้ทั้งมวล ด้วยไทยล้วนหมาย รักสามัคคี ไทยนี้รักสงบ แต่ถึงรบไม่ขลาด เอกราชจะไม่ให้ใครข่มขี่ สละเลือดทุกหยาดเป็นชาติพลี เถลิงประเทศชาติไทยทวี มีชัย ชโย Pràthē̂t thai ruam lư̂at nứa chā̂t chứa thai Pen pràchā rát, phàthai khǫ̌ng thai thúk sùan Yù damrong khǫ̌ng wái dā̂i tháng muan Dư̂ai thai lúan mā̌i, rák sǎmákkhī Thai nī rák sàngòp, tę̀ thư̌ng róp mâi khlā̀t Ḕkkàrā̂t cà mâi hâi khrai khòm khī̂ Sàlà lư̂at thúk yā̀t pen chā̂t phálī Thàlơ̄̌ng pràthē̂t chā̂t thai tháwī, mī chai, cháyō! [prà.tʰêːt̚ tʰāj rūːə̯m lɯ̂ːə̯t̚ nɯ́ːə̯ t͡ɕʰâːt̚ t͡ɕʰɯ́ːə̯ tʰāj |] [pēn prà.t͡ɕʰāː rát̚ | pʰà.tʰāj kʰɔ̌ŋ tʰāj tʰúk̚ sùːə̯n ‖] [jùː dām.rōŋ kʰɔ̌ŋ wáj dâːj tʰáŋ mūːə̯n |] [dûːə̯j tʰāj lúːə̯n mǎːj | rák̚ sǎ.mák̚.kʰīː ‖] [tʰāj níː rák̚ sà.ŋòp̚ | tɛ̀ː tʰɯ̌ŋ róp̚ mâj kʰlàːt̚ |] [ʔèːk̚.kà.râːt̚ t͡ɕàʔ mâj hâj kʰrāj kʰòm kʰîː ‖] [sà.làʔ lɯ̂ːə̯t̚ tʰúk̚ jàːt̚ pēn t͡ɕʰâːt̚ pʰá.līː |] [tʰà.lɤ̌ːŋ prà.tʰêːt̚ t͡ɕʰâːt̚ tʰāj tʰá.wīː | mīː t͡ɕʰāj | t͡ɕʰá.jōː ‖]

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 might, Long live Thailand's glory and victory, hooray!

Current usages

Abhisit Vejjajiva, former prime minister and Suthep Thaugsuban standing and singing the anthem.

Thai people stand up to show respect for their national anthem.

According to the practice dates from 1939s during the Plaek Phibunsongkhram era and The Flag Act of 1979, Thais must stop what they are doing and stand at attention to pay homage to the anthem played by all Thai media outlets, twice a day, at 08:00 and again at 18:00. Students in school stand in front of the raised flag and sing the national anthem at 08:00 every school day, while those who do not observe the custom by standing in silence during the anthem are subject to a fine of up to 2,000 baht and not more than one year in prison. At present, there is no longer any compulsion to stand upright and respect the national flag. But most people choose to stand upright and respect the national flag voluntarily.

See also

• "Sansoen Phra Barami", the Thai national anthem officially used before 1932, and still used as the country's royal anthem.
• Thaification

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)
• Thailand National Anthem (MCOT 2009 - 2011) on YouTube (in Thai)
• English lyrics to the Thai National Anthem
• A website dedicated to information on Thai National Anthem (Thai Language)