Preservation of National Arts, Thai Classical Music and Traditional Dance Performance

Thammasat University has always been one of the key contributors to Thai society in preserving and promoting national arts and cultural works through both academic and public performances. For academic, several courses relating to Thai cultures are offered in undergraduate and graduate levels in Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Faculty of Architecture, and Faculty of Sociology and Anthropology.

Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts of Thammasat University offers many classes related to Thai classical music, western music and Thai performing arts (Thai traditional dance, Thai pantomime). The faculty established art-related student clubs and organized annual performances both for the University’s events and anniversaries as well as other public performances and fund-raising events.

Establishing and promoting art-related student clubs

The four oldest student’s clubs are TU Band (established since 1948), Thai Traditional Dance Club (established since 1958), Thai Classical Music Club (established since 1963) and Khon Thammasat (established since 1966). Since then, many groups of students, who have passion for classical music, traditional Thai dance and performing arts, gathered together to form clubs such as TU Symphony Orchestra, TU Chorus, TU Folksong, Thai Traditional Dance, and Chinese Opera Club.

The Six Most Famous Club and Oldest Club in Thammasat University

One of the most active art-related clubs is TU Folk Song club which organizes its own shows known as “Laan Folk” twice a year and participates in the University’s events that are open to the public, including TU Freshy Games, Club Festivals, Thammasat Open House, and more than 30 performances each year. TU Symphony Orchestra organizes annual concerts, which in 2022 came in the theme “LOVENIVERSE”, and several other ad-hoc themed concerts, such as Charm of Chinese Melodies, Chamber Night Concert, and Until Unlight Concert to raise money for the Universal Foundation for Persons with Disabilities.

Thai Classical Music club and Thai Traditional Dance club have their own traditional events and performance, such as “Wai Kru” ceremony, annual student orientation day, traditional football event, and religious events. TU Drama Club also organizes at least 2 public performances per year, including Hello Drama and its annual showcase. Last but not least, with its uniqueness, the Chinese Opera club of the Faculty of Social Administration organizes annual and occasional shows specifically for political parody during the political events and movements.

Thai Classical Music Club, Thammasat University
(ชุมนุมดนตรีไทย มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์)

ชุมนุมดนตรีไทย – Facebook

Thai classical music is one of the important cultural heritages for Thailand. Thammasat University has established the Thai Classical Music Club since 1963 as a continuation of knowledge from Thai traditional music masters and legends.

Due to COVID-19 situation, Thai Classical Music Club was not able to rehearse and perform in the public events as scheduled during 2021. However, there were still group activities such as the performance in the annual student orientation day, Wai Kru ceremony, dissemination of Thai music masters and legends and the introduction of Thai Classical Music club’s history and establishment. The club reconvened with the on-line meeting with the theme “First Met” on August 14, to revive their activities and rehearsals for the performance in 2022.

คลิปแนะนำชุมนุม ประจำปี 2021

Thai Classical Music Club’s performances:
1. งานแรกพบชุมนุมดนตรีไทย 2022
2. พิธีไหว้ครู 2022
3. คอนเสิร์ตประจำปี ของชุมนุมดนตรีไทย – August 28,2022

4. การแสดงของชุมนุมดนตรีไทย มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ ในกิจกรรมปฐมนิเทศนักศึกษาใหม่ และรับเพื่อนใหม่ ประจำปีการศึกษา 2564
5. ร่วมรำลึกถึง ครูดนตรีไทยผู้สร้าง ผู้อยู่เบื้องหลัง กิจกรรมต่างๆของ ชุมนุมดนตรีไทย
6. ร่วมรำลึกถึง ครูดนตรีไทย (Thai Music Teachers and Legends)
7. ร่วมรำลึกถึงคุณครูประเวช กุมุท (ศิลปินแห่งชาติ) – National Artist

Khon Thammasat (โขนธรรมศาสตร์)

คณะโขนธรรมศาสตร์ พุทธศักราช ๒๕๐๙ (Khon Thammasat)

Khon is one of Thai’s cultural heritages. Khon Thammasat was formed in 1966, aiming for the younger generations to recognize the value of our culture, inherit and pass on this culture both nationally and internationally. The establishment of Khon, in addition to being a cultural show, it is also a tribute in honoring our monarchy as well.

Some of the performances from Khon Thammasat:

Thai Traditional Dance (ชุมนุมนาฏศิลป์ มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์)

ชุมนุมนาฏศิลป์ มหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ – Facebook

Contributing in preserve and promote national arts and cultural works, the Thai Dance Club, Thammasat University, by the invitation of the Indian Government, did their performances in the 6th edition of the International Ramayana Festival in various cities in India. The Thai troupe selected “The Advances of Samnakkha (Shurpannakkha)” from Ramakien or the Thai version of Ramayana, as their performance in this festival.
International Ramayana Festival – คณะนาฏศิลป์ไทยเข้าร่วมงานเทศกาลรามายณะนานาชาติ ครั้งที่ 6 ประเทศอินเดีย

Learning arts and cultures of different countries in Asia is a heart of strengthening good relation among our neighboring countries, especially in Asean countries. Acquiring a knowledge of different types of neighboring countries’ dances is one of the key skills that teachers and students should practice in order to better understand their cultures, hence, able to adapt or innovate a mixed culture that could enhance the relationship between countries.

The 2nd Cultural Exchange Virtual Mobility Program – October, 2022
The 2nd Cultural Exchange Virtual Mobility Program – December, 2022

The Master of Dramatic Sciences, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Thammasat University, therefore, conducted a workshop on ASEAN dance and Indonesian dance to provide an opportunity for interested participants to learn and practice ASEAN dance and further develop their skills toward a higher potential.

Thai Traditional Dance Club’s Performances:

พิธีไหว้ครูดนตรี นาฏศิลป์ ทัศนศิลป์ เข้าร่วมพิธีครอบครูโดยครูสมบัติ แก้วสุจริต ซึ่งเป็นครูครอบครูโขนละครที่ได้รับพระราชทานโองการไหว้ครูจากพระบาทสมเด็จพระเจ้าอยูาหัวฯ ในปีพุทธศักราช 2527

Thammasat University Symphony Orchestra

TU Symphony Orchestra – Facebook

TU Symphony Orchestra was established on June 27, 2002 which coincides with the founding anniversary of Thammasat University. It was formed by a group of Thammasat University students from different faculties who had a passion for classical music and wanted the opportunity to perform to the public, both inside and outside the university. The group was initially called “TU Chamber”. However, because of the tremendous interests and increasing number of members, the name is changed to TU Symphony Orchestra (TUSO) to be more appropriate for the activities and types of the performance. TUSO is not just a band but a place to exchange knowledge, to learn about classical music, and most importantly, to be able to contribute to the society through their passions and the love of music.

วงดุริยางค์ซิมโฟนีแห่งมหาวิทยาลัยธรรมศาสตร์ (Thammasat University Symphony Orchestra : TUSO)

Due to the COVID-19 situation, TUSO has to cancel several of their activities and performance. Despite that, there were still a number of performances during the last part of the year 2020, a number of rehearsals during 2021 to prepare for several more performance in early 2022. Here are some of the key public performances of TUSO during 2020-2022 for your reference.

4. คอนเสิร์ตครบรอบ 20 ปี TUSO “Loveniverse” – April 7,2022
5. TUSO Performnace – April 11,2022
6. งานเปิดโลกกิจกรรมประจำปีการศึกษา 2565 ในชื่อ ‘เปิดม่านเวทมนต์ เปิดโลกกิจกรรม’ – September 12, 2022
7. Until Unlight TU Symphony Orchestra x Event UTCC – October 29, 2020
8. 19th Anniversary Thamm asat University Symphony Orchestra

TU Chorus Thammasat University

TU Chorus – Facebook

TU Chorus was established as a part of TU Folksong (the original one) in the late 1990s. In the early 2000s, TU Chorus grew in number and had different direction from TU Folksong, as a result the clubs were separated. TU Chorus participated in most of the university’s formal events in which university anthem and other classical songs are needed. The band also held its own concerts.

TU Band

TU Band – Facebook

TU Band is an official university contemporary music band. It was established in August 1948 by Master Sungka Asatthawasi (ครูสังข์ อสัตถวาสี), who gathered Thammasat students who loved music and had musical talent and formed a full band. TU Band has been playing in almost all Thammasat University’s event for more than 70 years. Nowadays, TU Band recruits students with musical talents to become band members every year.

TU Band Live Sessions: