90 | Culture Ways of Life and Wisdom
• Li-kae music is played by two types of Pi Phat: Pi Phat Thai
and Phi Phat Mon, by playing two-tiered music that is used
in Thai dance and folk songs sung by the Li-kae performers
to draw the attention of the audience.
The most popular Li-kae performance today is from Li-kae Song Khrueang,
considered as a folk dance drama of the Central region which originated around 1907
AD, in the reign of King Rama V. The first Li-kae Song Khrueang was performed by
Phraya Phetpani at a theatre (called “Wik”) near Pom Phrakan, on the bank of Khlong
Ong Ang. The performance of Li-kae Song Khrueang features a combination of singing,
dancing, acting and natural expressions following the dialogues and accompanied
by the Pi Phat ensemble. The performers wear a glittering dress and present a long
story similar to those of Lakhon Ram.