Carabao, rock stars made in Thailand

Carabao is Thailand's most popular rock band, there is no village party in Thailand without the music of Carabao to set the mood.

The Carabao story

The group was formed in 1976 by Yuenyong Opakul (Aed) and Kirati Promsaka Na Sakon Nakhon (Keo or Khiao) who met while studying in the Philippines.

The word carabao ( Thai : คาราบาว) comes from Tagalog (the official language, along with English, of the Republic of the Philippines) meaning "buffalo", a symbol of struggle, hard work and patience.

They are known for their music "peua chiwit " (เพลงชีวิต), which could be translated as "songs of life".

This genre of music was born with the protest songs of the political turmoil of the 1970s in Thailand.

Carabao mixed the acoustic style folk of "peua chiwit"with other forms of Thai musicon western rockthe country music and various types of world music as the Latin music and the reggae and earning labels such as "ethnic rockerss" or "Rolling Stones of Asia".

The songs of Carabao often tackle social and political issues, which require the social justice by taking sides with the ordinary Thai But they have also created love songs and more philosophical songs that carry messages for people everywhere.

Aed Carabao is loved by many but his sharp and critical language towards the corrupt politicianss, the large companies and the environmental destruction The fact that they lasted so long is astonishing.

Many songs (at least one or two on most albums in the mid-1990s) were banned by the government and the band rarely appeared on government television and radio stations.

Despite this, Carabao is the most popular rock band in Thailand.

The members of the group

Members of the Carabao group

Carabao has a long and complex history, with several members leaving and joining the band.

The leader, guitarist, singer, Aed is the only one who has participated in all their albums and tours.

Carabao was initially trained in Philippines with three members, Aed, Keo and Jane who all sang and played guitar.

They stopped playing together when Aed returned to Thailand. However Aed continued to play music and write songs with other bands before deciding that he wanted to revive Carabao to have its own group.

He convinced Keo to return and switch to the bass.

The first albums

Carabao releases its first album, Loong ki mao (ลุง ขี้ เมา - 'the old drunk')in 1981.

Some of the melodies were borrowed from Asian or Thai folk or rock songs, with the title track based on a popular Philippine melody.

A major breakthrough came with the recruitment of guitarist, singer Preecha Chanapai (Lek).

Lek is a fan of the group Santana and Carabao was inspired by this mythical group, even in the way they dressed.

Lek Carabao

Carabao comes into the national spotlight with their third album, Waniphok (วณิพก - 'The Minstrel')The title song, about a blind street musician, became a major hit.

This song has a very particular style, a sort of mixture of Northeast Thai folk rhythms such as the "Mor Lam and Luk Thung with the rhythms Latin Americans.

Future albums of Carabao will have many songs made in this style. Aed noted with pride that before Waniphok discos in Thailand only Western songs were played, but the catchy rhythms of Waniphok has managed to break this barrier.

Carabao's international fame begins

The most popular album of Carabao, Made In Thailand (เมด อิน ไทย แลนด์), was released in 1984 and has sold over four million copies.

The track has also become a hit in several neighbouring countries. The album features a remarkable variety of musical styles, from rock, folk, the mixture of Thai regional styles such as Luk Thung and Mor Lamsome rhythms reggae and latinoand even a bit of Thai classical music with the song "Refugee.

Nowadays, due to the incredible number of pirated records in Thailand which has reduced their record sales alarmingly, Carabao has composed songs described as food:

• Carabao DengA song advertising the energy drink brand
• Red Bull, Bia Khon Thai for a beer brand.

Carabao will have marked the year 2005 with his song Tsunami in tribute to the victims of the 26 December 2004 earthquake in the Indian Ocean.

Discography of the group Carabao

Carabao released 26 studio albums between 1981 and 2009:

• 1981 ลุงขี้เมา Lung Khii Maw (The Old Drunkard)
• 1982 แป๊ะขายขวด Pae Khaai Khuat (the bottle collector)
• 1983 วณิพก Waniphok (The Minstrel)
• 1983 ท. ทหารอดทน Th. Thahaan Ot Thon (The Long Suffering of the Military)
• 1984 เมดอินไทยแลนด์ Made In Thailand
• 1985 อเมริโกย Ameerikooi (American greed)
• 1986 ประชาธิปไตย Prachaathippatai (democracy)
• 1987 เวลคัมทูไทยแลนด์ Welcome To Thailand
• 1988 ทับหลัง Thap Lang (the lintel)
• 1990 ห้ามจอดควาย Haam Chot Khwaai (no parking for buffalo)
• 1991 วิชาแพะ Wichaa Phae (the scapegoat)
• 1992 สัจจะ ๑๐ ประการ Satcha 10 Prakaan (The 10 Commandments)
• 1993 ช้างไห Chang Hai (The Elephants' Lament)
• 1994 คนสร้างชาติ Khon Saang Chaat (Nation Builders)
• 1995 แจกล้วย Chaek Kluai (banana distribution)
• 1995 หากหัวใจยังรักควาย Haak Huachai Yang Rak Khwaai (the buffaloes are still in our hearts)
• 1997 เส้นทางสายปลาแดก Senthaang Saai Plaa Daek (the path of fermented fish)
• 1997 เช ยังไม่ตาย Che Yang Mai Taai (Che is not dead yet)
• 1998 อเมริกันอันธพาล Ameerikan Anthaphaan (American cowardice)
• 1998 พออยู่พอกิน Phoo Juu Phoo Kin (eat enough to live)
• 2000 เซียมหล่อตือ Siam Lor Tue (the pigs of siam)
• 2001 สาวเบียร์ช้าง Sao Bia Chang (the chang beer girl)
• 2002 นักสู้ผู้ยิ่งใหญ่ Nak Soo Poo Ying Yai (the great fighter)
• 2005 สามัคคีประเทศไทย Samakki Thailand (United Thailand)
• 2007 ๒๕ ปี ลูกลุงขี้เมา 25 Pee Luk Lung Khee Mao (25 years old - the son of the old drunkard)
• 2009 โฮะ Ho (mix in Lana language)

Official website

Come and discover songs from Carabao