Carabao (Thai: คาราบาว) are a Thai rock band which is extremely popular in Thailand and other Asian countries.¹ The group was formed in 1976 by university students Yuenyong Opakul (Aed) and Kirati Promsaka Na Sakon Nakhon (Khiao) who met while studying in the Philippines.² The word carabao is Tagalog meaning "buffalo", a symbol of fighting, hard working and patience. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (1,024 × 768 pixels, file size: 133 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Carabao wallpaper Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ... Mapúa Institute of Technology (MIT, MapúaTech or simply Mapúa) is a private, non-sectarian, Filipino tertiary institute located in Intramuros, Manila. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Thai rock is rock music by Thai bands. ... Hard Rock redirects here. ... In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. ... Tagalog (pronunciation: ) is one of the major languages of the Republic of the Philippines. ...

They are known for their 'phleng pheua chiiwit' (เพลงเพื่อชีวิต) or 'songs for life'. This kind of music came to prominence through the protest songs of the 1970s political upheaval in Thailand, especially from the brilliant Caravan band. Carabao have blended the acoustic/folk style of 'peua chiwit' with other forms of Thai music, western rock and country music, and various kinds of world music like Latin music and reggae, earning such labels as 'ethnic rockers' and 'Kings of 3Cha' or 'Rolling Stones of Asia'^{4 (in German)}. MTV Asia calls them "veteran".³ For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ... A protest song is a song which protests perceived problems in society. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... Thailand retains cultural connections with the two great centers of Asian civilizations, India and China. ... Thailand retains cultural connections with the two great centers of Asian civilizations, India and China. ...

Carabao's songs often tackle social and political issues, demanding social justice and taking on the causes of the ordinary Thai people, 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 tongue and open criticism of politicians, big business and environmental destruction perhaps make it surprising that he has lasted so long. At least one or two songs on most albums up to the mid-'90s were banned by the government and coverage of the band rarely appeared on government TV and radio stations.⁵ Despite this, Carabao is the most popular Thai rock group of all time.

Carabao released their first album, Lung Khii Maw (ลุงขี้เมา - "The Drunken Old Man"), in 1981 and first came into the national spotlight with their third album, Waniphok (วณิพก - "The Wandering Minstrel"), the title song of which told the story of a blind street musician and became a major hit. Their most popular album, Made In Thailand (เมดอินไทยแลนด์), was released in 1984 and sold over three million copies. They have now released a total of 25 albums, with numerous live albums and compilations bringing the total to more than 50.⁶ Lung Khii Maw (ลุงขี้เมา), or The Drunken Old Man, was the debut album by Thai rock band Carabao. ... Waniphok (วณิพก), or The Wandering Minstrel, was the third album by Thai rock band Carabao. ... Alternate cover 20th Anniversary reissue Made In Thailand (เมดอินไทยแลนด์) was the fifth album by Thai rock band Carabao. ...

History

Carabao has a long and complex history, with several members who have left and rejoined the band numerous times. Leader/guitarist/vocalist Aed is the only member who has participated in all their albums and tours, although most of their lineups have featured bassist Ot and guitarist Lek.

Carabao was originally formed in the Philippines with three members, Aed, Khiao, and a third member, all of whom sang and played guitar. They stopped playing together when Aed returned to Thailand. However, Aed continued to play music and write songs, contributing to the popular songs for life band "Hammer," and playing as a backing member of the band "Hope." He decided that he wanted to revive Carabao, starting with only two official members, himself and Khiao, who were then backed by members of the Thai songs for life band "Hope." On the second album, guitarist/vocalist Preecha Chanapai (Lek) joined. This album also marked the first appearance of bassist Anupong Prathompatama (Ot). On subsequent albums, they gradually added members until they became a 7-piece band in the mid-80's. This lineup, which in addition to Aed (guitar/vocal) and Khiao (vocalist/multi-instrumentalist) also included guitarists/vocalists Lek and Thierry, bassist Ot, drummer Amnaat Luukjan (Pao), and woodwind player Thanit Siiklindii (Ajaan). For most of their Thai fans, this is the "classic" Carabao lineup.

In the late 1980's, Ajaan, Pao and Thierry left the band, and the remaining 4 members carried on for one more album. After that, Carabao disbanded in the early 1990's, but quickly got back together with a new lineup of Aed, Lek, Ot and new members Luechai Ngamsom (Duk) on keyboards and Chuchat Nuduang (Ko) on drums. In 1993, Lek left the band, but the remaining members carried on with Kajonsak Hutawatthana (Mee) on guitar.

In 1995, all 7 members of the classic lineup reunited for the band's 15th anniversary. This, however, did not last, and the Aed/Ot/Duk/Ko/Mee lineup resumed playing under the Carabao banner, this time with some help in the studio from founding member Khiao. In the late 1990's, Lek and Thierry rejoined the band again and a new lineup was born, combining 4 members of the "classic" band (Aed, Lek, Thierry and Ot) with 3 later members (Duk, Ko, Mee), along with a percussionalist/flutist named Thepajon Phanthuphongthai (Uan). Khiao no longer tours with the band but still contributes vocals, guitar and production assistance to some of their albums.

Discography

Main article: Carabao discography

Carabao discography is a discography for Thai rock band Carabao. ...

External links

• Official Web site (in Thai only)
• A Fan Forum in German language with news, tourdates, pictures, videos (postings in Thai and English are welcome too)--
• German Fan site (in German) which has pictures of Carabao's tours through Europe 2001 and 2005 as well as tour dates in 2005
• site about Thai rock bands has a sound sample of Carabao's music
• Carabao CDs and VCDs available
• Muang Carabao - Carabao in English. This is the continuation of the original, long dead Muang Carabao - the first Carabao site on the net. Actually this site was The very 1st site: (http://members.aol.com/snkeys/carabao) which is acknowledged on Muang-Carabao
• Carabao Live in Stockholm 31 May 2007. Photo