Rating: 3.5/5 (4 votes)

Open Days: Open for visits every day

Opening Hours: Approximately 08:00 – 17:00

 

Drum-Making Village, Ekkarat Subdistrict is one of the best-known cultural attractions in Ang Thong Province. Located in Ekkarat Subdistrict, Pa Mok District, behind Pa Mok Market on the western bank of the Chao Phraya River, this village is renowned as a source of high-quality, finely crafted Thai drums. It has become one of the country’s most important centers for drum production. Visitors who come here can experience the charm of local wisdom, the simple lifestyle of the villagers, and the traditional drum-making process that has been passed down through many generations.

 

The community began making drums around 1927. Most local residents were farmers, and after the harvest season they would gather to do handicraft work in order to earn extra income. One of the most popular crafts was drum making, which later developed into the main occupation of many families in the village.

 

The drum-making wisdom of the people of Ekkarat Subdistrict is regarded as an important cultural heritage. It requires knowledge of materials, woodworking skills, and experience in stretching the drum skin to achieve a resonant and high-quality sound. Drum makers in the village learned these skills from their ancestors and passed them on to their descendants, eventually making them a distinctive identity of the community.

 

As visitors enter the Drum-Making Village, they will notice drum shops lined up on both sides of the road. Many houses use the front of their homes as small workshops for drum production. The atmosphere of the village is filled with the sounds of wood being struck, drum skins being tightened, and the smell of freshly turned wood, reflecting a way of life that is truly tied to handicraft work.

 

The drums produced in this village come in many forms, ranging from long drums used in folk performances, thad drums used in important ceremonies, drums for cultural performances, and small drums suitable as souvenirs. Visitors can choose drums according to their needs, and each one has gone through a meticulous production process carried out by skilled craftsmen.

 

One of the village’s highlights is its traditional drum-making process, which has been preserved to this day. The first step is selecting the wood, with rain tree or monkeypod wood being especially popular because they are softwoods that are easy to turn and hollow out. The wood is then shaped into a drum body, after which the inside is hollowed to create the sound chamber.

 

Once the drum shell is ready, the craftsmen stretch carefully prepared cowhide over it. The hide is pulled tight and secured to the drum body with pegs or rope to create a distinctive resonant sound. The final step is decorating the drum with patterns and paint, which adds beauty and uniqueness to each piece.

 

Visitors to the Drum-Making Village can closely observe the entire production process, from wood turning and hollowing out the shell to stretching the hide and decorating the surface. This is a rare experience that is not easy to find at most tourist attractions. Visitors can also speak with the drum makers to learn more about the stories behind this local wisdom.

 

Another interesting highlight of the village is the “Longest Long Drum in the World,” located in front of the house of Village Headman Hongsfa Yodyoi. This enormous long drum has a diameter of about 36 inches, or approximately 92 centimeters, and a total length of 7.6 meters.

 

This giant long drum was created in 1994 using six sections of monkeypod wood joined together. It took more than one year to complete. The drum is not only a remarkable piece of craftsmanship, but also a symbol of pride for the community of Ekkarat Subdistrict.

 

In addition to seeing the longest long drum in the world, visitors can also stroll through the village and enjoy the atmosphere of a community that has preserved its traditional way of life very well. Many homes still use the front of their houses as workspaces and display areas, allowing visitors to experience the authentic character of a handicraft village.

 

This Drum-Making Village is also an important center for learning about Thai culture, because drums play a major role in rituals, festivals, and traditional performances in Thailand, including long drum performances, khon, and various folk shows.

 

Traveling to the Drum-Making Village in Ekkarat Subdistrict can begin from Pa Mok District. The route passes the Pa Mok Municipal Office and then continues along a small road running beside an irrigation canal for about 17 kilometers. Once inside the village area, visitors will find drum shops and drum-making workshops lined along both sides of the road.

 

For those who are interested in Thai arts, culture, and handicrafts, the Drum-Making Village in Ekkarat Subdistrict is a destination not to be missed. It is not only a famous center of drum production, but also a place that reflects the determination of the community to preserve its local wisdom for future generations.

 

Getting There From Bangkok, visitors can travel to Pa Mok District, Ang Thong Province, via the Asian Highway or Highway No. 32, then continue toward Ekkarat Subdistrict, where the Drum-Making Village is located. The journey takes about one and a half hours. Once inside the village, visitors will see drum shops and the homes of drum makers lined up on both sides of the road.

 

 

A: It is located in Ekkarat Subdistrict, Pa Mok District, Ang Thong Province, on the western side of the Chao Phraya River.

 

A: Villagers began making drums around 1927, starting as a post-harvest handicraft activity and continuing to pass the skill down through many generations.

 

A: Yes. Visitors can observe the drum-making process, from wood turning and skin stretching to drum decoration.

 

A: It is located in front of the house of Village Headman Hongsfa Yodyoi within the Drum-Making Village in Ekkarat Subdistrict.

 

A: It is ideal for cultural tourism, learning about local wisdom, and buying souvenirs made from Thai handicrafts.