Prakhom band

{{Short description|Traditional Thai music band}}

{{one source|date=April 2017}}

A prakhom band ({{langx|th|วงเครื่องประโคม}}) is a type of traditional Thai music band employed to play ceremonial music–known as prakhom music–during certain Thai rituals. Today, they report to the Bureau of the Royal Household's (BRH) Royal Ceremonial Division, and are responsible for the playing of traditional songs during royal events of the Royal Family of Thailand, in a custom known as prakhom yam yam or royal ceremonial music performances.{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/print/1123237/ |title=Bangkok Post article |newspaper=Bangkok Post |publisher=Bangkok Post article |date= |accessdate=2016-12-03}} The Prakhom Band plays the prakhom part of state events involving the Thai Royal Family and are distinguished by their red dress uniforms and pith helmets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.matichon.co.th/entertainment/news_335364|title = อะไรคือประโคมย่ำยาม|date = 26 October 2016}} As the term states they play ceremonial music every three hours during state funeral rites to signal officials and staff members of the Royal Family and the ensemble plays in other events like state coronations, royal anniversaries and the State Opening of the National Assembly.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationtv.tv/main/content/378580025/|title = วงประโคมปีพาทย์นางหงส์และปี่พาทย์มอญ|date = 6 November 2017}}

The ensemble is similar to the daechwita ensembles of South Korea, but are of Chinese and Hindu origin.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/social-and-lifestyle/1672708|title=The Indian influence|newspaper=Bangkok Post}} Unlike other ensembles it reports as part of the Royal Ceremonial Division of the BRH, since the instruments are part of the Thai royal regalia. Of the 80 members, 38 work for the BRH, 42 are uniformed personnel of the Royal Thai Army 11th Military District (1st Division, King's Guard).{{Cite web|url=https://www.khaosod.co.th/special-stories/news_58780|title = ย้อนที่มาประโคมย่ำยาม วงปี่พาทย์นางหงส์ จากพระราชดำริ "สมเด็จพระเทพ"|date = 18 October 2016}}

In parades and ceremonies these are reinforced by cadets of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and traditional musicians from the Royal Thai Navy.