A little moist music

Every time there’s flooding in Thailand, the old song “Nam Thuam” (“Flood”) works its way back into heavy rotation on radio, and it’s the oft-heard soundtrack to TV-news scenes of the watery disaster.
Songwriter Paibool Butrkhan composed the tune for luk thung artist Sornkhiri Sriprachuab around 1969 after the singer’s pineapple plantation in Prachuap Khiri Khan was destroyed by a deluge.
With much of Thailand under water again, “Nam Thuam” is back, and it’s been re-arranged into a cheerful new tune by Arunsak Ongla-or.
The song is called “Plean Nam Tuam Hai Pen Nam Jai” (“Turn the Flood Into Kind Hospitality”), and the music video is a hit on YouTube.
It’s performed by Arunsak and other artists along with volunteers, Or Bor Tor officials and flood victims. Among them are veteran guitarist Nuphap Sawantras, diva Raweewan “Uio” Jinda, songs-for-lifer Panuwit “Wan Goh” Ruekyabee, luk thung singer Siriporn Pormwong of the Sa-Lueng band, keyboardist Patchara Kerdsri and drummer Piya “Faed” Saleesuk of the traditional Thai orchestra Sor Charoensilpa.
Here’s the chorus:

Plean nam tuam hai pen nam jai (turn the flood into kind hospitality”).
Jab mua thai hai jab mue kan (Thais, get together hand in hand)
Mai mee ther kor mai me chan (If there’s no you, there’s no me)
Rao mee kan rau mee Thai (We’re in this together, we’re Thai)

The video was shot throughout the flooded Central region, including Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Phitsanulok, Lop Buri, Ayutthaya, Ang Thong and Nonthaburi and includes news footage and images of happy rescue volunteers hand-in-hand with victims and sadder moments of crying victims.
Encouraing harmony and cooperation, Prime Minister Yingluk Shinawatra is seen working with opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva at the Flood Relief Operation Centre in Don Mueang.
Flood-relief songs are nothing new. Back in 1998, when the South was crippled by a deluge, the heavy metal band Fresh and Skin encouraged folks with “Fah Prakasit” (“God’s Command”) and “Nam Thuam Nam Jai” (“Flood and Affection”).
Tunesmith Yuenyong “Ad” Ophakul of the songs-for-life band Carabao always has somethng to say about whatever the latest crisis is, and his new flood anthem is “Nam Jai Thai” (“Thais’ Kind Hospitality”).
Singer Manasawin “Tik Shiro” Nanthasen has come up with “Nam Thuam Mai Mid Jai” (“Flood Could Not Flood Our Heart”), in collaboration with more than 30 artists, including Charas Fueangarom, Viyada Komarakul Na Nakhon, Vasu Sangsingkaew, Tannaton Palakawong Na Ayuthaya, Vitamin A, Nui Kessarin and CJay Rhyn. Tik has funding the recording and making of a music video, which has been presented it to governmental and private organisations for distribution.
“It is a medium that gives courage to flood victims,” says Tik, a former member of the ’80s pop band Ploy. “We have to accept the floods and live with them. One thing we as artists can do is comfort those who are in trouble with the sound of music.”
RS Public singer Thanaporn “Parn” Waekprayoon offers the song, “Khon Thai Mai Thing Kan” (“Thais Don’t Forsake Each Other”) reflecting Thai people’s affection and love.
“Nueng Diew Kan” (“One Heart”) is a morale-boosting song by a group of young music men under the name 3AM. Nichkhun, Thungthao Taro, Sundae, Bearhug and Phi Ma Khao are aiming to make everyone feel a little happier.

On the Web
Watch the music video of “Plean Nam Tuam Hai Pen Nam Jai” (“Turn the Flooding Into Kind Hospitality” at www.NationMultimedia.com