Tuesday, May 26, 2026

the shangri-la: kin arai thueng suai



artist: เดอะ แชงกรี-ล่า (the shangri-la) 
album: กินอะไรถึงสวย (kin arai thueng suai) 
tracklist
01. กินอะไรถึงสวย (kin arai thueng suai) 
02. ทหารอากาศขาดรัก (thahan akat khat rak) 
03. สำรวยลืมคำ (samruai luem kham) 
04. ลูกสาวผู้การ (luk sao phu kan) 
05. จำปาลืมต้น (champa luem ton) 
06. จดหมายจากแม่ (chotmai chak mae) 
07. ไอ้หนุ่มรถไถ (ai num rot thai) 
08. นางฟ้ายังอาย (nang fa yang ai) 
09. ไอ้หนุ่มตังเก (ai num tangke) 
10. แหม่มปลาร้า (ma'am pla ra) 
11. จดหมายจากแนวหน้า (chotmai chak naeo na) 
12. ผู้เสียสละ (phu sia sala) 

this week, chinese-style luk thung instrumentals from the shagri-la! to tell the truth, i know very little about the history or membership of the group, despite them being fairly prolific and their recordings seeming to enjoy some degree of enduring popularity among the older sino-thai set. this tape from p.a. audio dates from 1982 and consists of their signature sinicization applied to a set of luk thung standards, penned by chonlathi thanthong and phira tribuppha, the latter of whom seems to have had some role in the production and arrangements here. the instrumentation includes a standard lite rock rhythm section, over which is layered a string ensemble, synths, twangy guitar, and a range of instruments of chinese origin. the sound definitely recalls late-period work from the stylers out of singapore (such as their "unforgettable evergreens" series).. enjoy, and if you know more about the band, please share!