Great soulful Thai lukthung songs on this original pressing from Thailand on 45 RPM. Probably from the late '60's, but as usual there is no year on the label.
Side A features 'Please listen to the stars cheering' by Prakai Phet Sorn Hong (ประกายเพชร สรหงส์). The song has a beautiful instrumental arrangement, and some interesting Thai percussive rhythms.
Prakai Phet Sorn Hong was a Thai lukthung singer, born in 1947 in Suphanburi in central Thailand and passed away in 2015.
His real name was Suchat Sorahong.
After he graduated from his hometown school he became a novice monk at Wat Phra Sri Rattana Mahathat temple in Suphanburi. While being a monk, he was assigned the task of playing music over the loudspeaker on Buddhist holy days, which led him to deeply appreciate Lukthung (Thai countryside music).
A performance by singer Thool Thongjai In 1960 at the temple inspired Prakai Phet to become a lukthung singer himself.
After leaving the monkhood, Prakai Phet helped his family with farming for a while before he decided to go to Bangkok to pursue his dream. His first job was as a salesman selling cosmetics, which gave him the opportunity to travel to different provinces.
Due to the Thai lottery system he was obliged to become a soldier in the military for a while. He volunteered to fight in Vietnam and was assigned as an M79 grenade launcher. Prakai Phet remained in Vietnam for many years. Upon his return to Thailand he worked as a librarian for two years, and later as a postman.
It was during this time that Prakai Phet applied to join the then famous 'Daeng Danthong Band'. Here he met A. Phophin Muangsuphan, a famous songwriter, with whom he recorded the song 'Long Pa' (Lost in the Forest), which made him instantly famous. As his fame grew, Prakai Phet resigned from his job as a postman. He then had the opportunity to form his own lukthung band, holding its first performance at the Tiprama Cinema in Northern Thailand.
On Side B we find Khongsorn Pornsawan (โก่งศร พรสวรรค์) singing a deep melancholic song called 'Waiting For Love'. Also this song has beautiful instrumental accompaniment, with some fine horns starting things off.
This original Thai pressing is in good condition, with side B being closer to VG. Listen to the audio examples for an impression of the actual copy for sale.