Carabao

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‘Huakhwai’ is the Thai word for the buffalo head – the symbol of CARABAO.

Carabao are a Thai ‘plaeng peua chiwit’ or ‘songs for life’ band. This kind of music came to prominence through the protest songs of the 1970’s 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 and western rock music earning such labels as ‘ethnic rockers’ and ‘Kings of 3Cha.’ Their songs often tackle social and political issues, demanding social justice and taking on the causes of the ordinary Thai people, but they have also composed love songs and more philosophical songs that carry messages for people everywhere.

Carabao are the most popular Thai band of all time – a fair achievment considering that their music was banned or ignored by the government-run radio and TV stations for most of the 1980s and early ’90s. Even so, sitting on buses or walking around the streets you were, and still are, likely to hear the sounds of Carabao. Many of their songs are Thai classics. Band leader Add Carabao is a legend, though his sharp tongue and interest in social, political and environmental issues are not appreciated by all.

Some Thais will tell you that the band are not as good as they once were and some of the original group have left (though they have come back together for the 15^th anniversary in 1996 and other occasions).

One reason for the band’s broad appeal is their diversity of style, but this also invites criticism, particularly for Ad Carabao, when some fans feel they are producing albums that are not true to the spirit of Carabao, musically or ideologically.

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Carabao Albums :

1981: Lung Khi Mao (Drunken Old Uncle)
1982: Pae Khai Khuat (The Old Bottle Collector)
1983: Wanipok (Blind Street Musicians)
1983: Tor Tahan Ot ton (The Determined Soldier)
1984: Made in Thailand
1985: Amerigoey (Greedy America)
1986: Prachatipatai (Democracy)
1987: Welcome to Thailand
1988: Thap Lang (The Lintel)
1990: Haam Jawt Khwai (No Buffalo Parking)
1991: Vicha Phae (The Scapegoat Lessons)
1992: Sacha Sip Prakarn (The Ten Truths)
1993: Chang Hai (Crying Elephants)
1994: Khon Sang Chart (The Nation-builder)
1995: Jaek Gluay (Handing Out Bananas)
1995: Carabao 15 Years (Vols. 1 and 2)
1997: Sen Thaang Sai Pla Daek (The Pla Daek Way)
1997: Che Yang Mai Dai (Che’s Not Dead)
1998: American Antapan (America the Thug)
1998: Por Yoo Por Kin (Enough to Live On)
2000: SiemLawDeu (Pigs of Siam)
2001: Saao Beer Chang (Beer Chang Girls)
2002: Naksu Phuyingyai (The Great Fighter)

Carabao – other albums / compilations:

1986: Ruam Pleng Carabao
1991: Teuk
1991: Meun
1991: Man
1991: Kinjai
1994: Khwai Mun
1995: Carabao Chuan Pai Leuak Dang (Carabao ask you to vote – not sold commercially)
1996: Carabao Chorus (1)
1996: Kings of 3 Cha 1
1996: Kings of 3 Cha 2
1997: Khon la Cha – 3 Khon 3 Cha
1998: Khon Mun
1998: Mitrapaap Rai Promdaen (Friendship Without Boundaries)
1999: Haam Awk Ahgaht (Banned From The Airwaves)
1999: Guitar Glaem Lao (Carabao Santana)
1999: Rak Baeb Bao
1999: 3 Cha Bao Bao
1999: Carabao Dance 1
1999: Carabao Blues
1999: Carabao Chorus 2
2000: Carabao Dance 2
2000: Carabao Hits – Golden Khwai
2000: Carabao Rock
2000: Tamnaan Khon, Tamnaan Khwai
2001: Bangrajan
2001: Carabao Hits – Golden Khwai 2
2001: Guitar Plays 1
2001: Non-Stop 3 Cha
2001: Carabao on Films
2001: Guitar Plays 2
2001: Carabao Inter
2001: Purachai Curfew (Special 3-song 20th anniversary cd)
2001: Super 3 Cha

Live recordings:

1983: LIVE
1984: Carabao Live Recording
1987: Chiwit Sampan (Joined in Life, Vols 1 and 2)
1991: Carabao People Live
1992: Hua Khwai, Paak Maa, Prasaa Plaeng 1
(live recordings in which Ad speaks out on politicians, destroyers of the environment, TV channels etc.)
1993: Hua Khwai, Paak Maa, Prasaa Plaeng 2
1995: Hua Khwai, Paak Maa, Prasaa Plaeng 3
1995: Live at Raeng Khoy
1996: 15 Years Paak Maa (2 vols)
1997: Season Acoustic Live Orchestra
1998: Hua Khwai, Paak Maa, Prasaa Plaeng 4
1999: 15 Years Made in Thailand (2 vols)