Most of the province

Most of the province is covered by hilly landscape. In the north is the Lam Pao dam built 1963-68, storing 1,430 million m³ of water for flood prevention and agriculture. The Lam Pao reservoir effectively cuts the northern part of the province in half but there are car ferries connecting the district of Sahatsakhan in the east with the district Nong Kung Si in the west, saving up to one hour off the journey by road. On the northwestern creek of the reservoir a road bridge now connects the village of Ban Dong Bang in the west with the district town of Wang Sam Mo in the east. Although the bridge was constructed several years ago (pre 2000) it is not featured (2006) on any commercially available road maps. Making the border with Sakhon Nakhon Province is the Phu Phan mountain range, which is preserved as a national park.
Kalasin is famous for the dinosaur fossils found at Phu Kum Khao (Sahatsakhan district), the largest dinosaur site of Thailand. Most of the fossils are from Sauropods of 120 million years ago

Pong lang

The pong lang (in Thai โปงลาง) is a log xylophone from the Isan region of northeast Thailand.
The pong lang has 12 wooden bars that, with a strong rope, are tied together in a row at each end. The instrument can be played solo or in an ensemble. The pong lang is used for all kinds of occasions, especially for festivals and ceremonies.
The instrument is generally played by two players, who each use two hardwood sticks. Its shape is like a xylophone consisting of 15 wooden bars strung together with a strong rope at each end. The lower pitch end is attached to a post or part of a tree and other is hooked to the player's toe or another material. The two performers sit on either side, one playing the melody, the other playing drone accompaniment. The pong lang has no standard size.

Ead Ponglang, Lala, Lulu

Ead Ponglang, Lala, Lulu
Ponglang Sa-On
Yesterday I went to see the rehearsal of the show Ponglang Must Go Sa-Onn. We are responsible for some parts of the show. Ead is vary talented. I think he can easily be a standup comedian if he decides to do so. Anyway, everyone in the show is very nice, including people from RS and R Siam. I love the band and their concept of mixing folk Esan songs with modern music and dance. They are all young, enthusiastic and fun to work with.
Ead, Lala and Lulu

Ponglang The Music

Members of the traditional “Ponglang” music and dance troupe from the Isan region of Thailand perform the “Serng Yae Kai Mot Daeng” dance to welcome crew members of Greenpeace flagship The Rainbow Warrior. The ship has been leading the Asia Energy Revolution Tour in Australia, Hong Kong and the Philippines, exposing the impacts of climate change and promoting the uptake of renewable energy such as wind and solar power and is currently in Bangkok on the Thailand leg of its Asia Energy Revolution Tour.

Welcome To PONGLANG Website.

Northeastern Thai music and dance are related closely to the lifestyle and occupation of the people. The music is typical of everything Northeastern; exciting, fast and rousing. Distinctive northeastern musical instruments include the 'ponglang', 'kaen' and 'hai song'.
The 'ponglang' is a hardwood percussion instrument, similar to a modern xylophone. It is one of the main instruments in the 'pong lang' orchestra, along with the 'kaen', a reed wind instrument, drums and stringed instruments.
Another percussion instrument, the 'hai song' is an earthen jar with elastic stretched over the opening. Plucking the elastic creates the instrument's deep, resonating sound. The player, usually female, is colorfully and beautifully garbed, and also performs graceful dance movements.
Another musical group called 'kan truem' is native to the High Khmer in areas such as Buriram, Surin and Si Saket. The principal instrument is the 'kan truem' drum, two of which are used for different tones. The rhythm is quite lively.
'Moh lam-moh kaen' duos are often heard in areas where people from Isaan live, and not necessarily in the Northeast. 'Moh lam' refers to the singers, who developed their art from funeral recitals in times past. 'Moh kaen' are players of the reed instrument, the 'kaen'. A duet of one 'moh lam' and one 'moh kaen' can attract crowds of appreciative listeners the whole night through.
Another well-known northeastern song is 'pleng Khorat' sung specifically in Nakhon Ratchasima province. It involves a repartee of exchanges between male and female performers, without any accompanying instruments.