Decorative Red Ranat Ek Thai Xylophone with Gold Floral Pattern and Wooden Bars

This decorative ranat ek, the Thai xylophone, has a boat-shaped body painted red, with a gold floral pattern and gold Thai letters along the side. The ends sweep upward with gold edging, and a row of dark wooden bars hangs over the trough on a white cord. The whole instrument rests on a small red foot.

In a Thai piphat ensemble the ranat ek plays the lead, struck with two mallets. This piece is made of solid wood in a beginner's style, not a high-end instrument, and is best used as decoration or for gentle play. Dust it with a soft cloth, and keep water off the paint and the cord.

Naree chose it for Uniquely Thai Lao TV.