Thai PM plays Vietnamese bamboo xylophone at Hanoi state dinner

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin showcased his musical talents in Vietnam, playing a miniature bamboo xylophone, known as T'rưng, during a state dinner hosted by Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung in Hanoi on June 8.

Thavisin first tried the instrument at the banquet table, playing along with the live band on stage for nearly a minute. He then moved to the stage for a brief performance, drawing cheers from Hung and other guests. Despite the band's fast tempo, Thavisin completed his rendition with ease.

The event also featured Vietnamese musicians performing Thai songs on traditional Vietnamese instruments. The T'rưng is a percussion instrument made from bamboo or rattan tubes, producing various pitches that mimic natural sounds. It is commonly used in the cultural activities of ethnic groups in Vietnam's Central Highlands.

Thai traditional music also includes percussion instruments similar to the T'rưng, such as the pông-lang from the Northeast (Isan) region, which uses wooden bars, and the ranat found in classical ensembles. However, the T'rưng is made from bamboo or rattan, while the pông-lang and ranat use wooden bars.

According to Thai media, Prime Minister Thavisin is known for his diverse talents, having performed music at official events, including playing piano, flute, singing, and conducting orchestras. Notably, he played the saxophone during a concert for the King of Thailand's birthday in 2024, performing pieces composed by the King.

Thavisin is on an official visit to Vietnam to attend the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum. During his talks with Prime Minister Hung, he emphasized the significance of the visit, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He affirmed Thailand's commitment to strengthening comprehensive and practical cooperation with Vietnam across all sectors.

Both prime ministers expressed satisfaction with the robust development of bilateral relations, describing the current period as the best in their history.