Wedding minstrel Prapas makes their day

Thais seem to have become downright conscientious about asking first before using copyrighted material, as songwriter Prapas Cholsaranon has discovered.

Prapas, who’s an author, editor and TV producer as well as being the tunesmith behind hit records by the bands Cha-leang and Moderndog and many well-known singers, is constantly getting requests for permission to use his songs at wedding ceremonies and receptions, and he’s often offered payment or at least asked how much it will cost.

So he’s made a decision: If the songs are to be used at weddings, he announced on Facebook, folks can use them free of charge.

“I guess because of the frequent court cases over music copyrights, a lot of wedding organisers are now checking first whether they have permission to use a song,” Prapas said. “I don’t know about other songwriters, but I consider myself lucky to own the rights to all the songs I’ve written. So, if you want to use my songs in a wedding ceremony, I will gladly allow you to do so, and I won’t charge you anything.

“You are so much in love that you’ve decided to get married. It’s going to be a wonderful occasion. All your beloved friends and relatives will be there. That is surely not a place to do business. If my songs can help complete the event and make your wedding more beautiful and more memorable for you and all your guests, I’m more than happy enough with that.” 

Prapas even provided links to the tracks on his Prapas Channel on YouTube. You’ve probably already heard them all at weddings. There’s “Prao Arai” (“Why”) sung by Pod Moderndog, “Lom Hai Jai Khong Khan” (“Each Other’s Breath”) by Ben Chalathit, “Mue Wan Wela Khong Rao Ma Banchob Khan” (“When Our Time Meets”) by Tu Pobthorn, “Shing Luek Lab Sab Son Nai Jakkhrawan” (“The Mysterious and Complicated Thing in the Universe”) by Juliet and Balcony, “Rak Kue Kwam Cheu Jai” (“Love is Trust”) by Kong Saharat, “Rak Phen Dang Ton Mai” (“Love is Like a Tree”) by Pan Thanaphorn, “Muean Ther Lue Khen” (“So Much Like You”) by Nop Ponchamni and, from Cha-leang, “Ther Moon Rob Chun, Chun Moon Rob Ther” (“You Circle around Me, I Circle around You”) and “Khep Jai” (“Keep the Heart”).

Prapas’ “permission granted” post earned more than 10,000 “likes” and 2,000 shares – and a lot more questions and comments about particular tunes in demand for nuptials. Is it okay, he was asked, for instance, to have a live band play the songs or does he insist on only the CD version? 

“You can use any of the songs from the links I listed any way you like,” he replied, “because I own the master copies. If you have a live band, they can sing my songs. 

“Please treat the songs as though they were my wedding gift to the bride and groom. I only ask that you don’t forget to give me credit as a way of saying thank you.”