One of my new interests is Thai music. How did Thai pop music come to my attention? A friend recently sent me a copy of Tuk-Na-Tee-Hai-Ter (Every Minute, For You) [MP3] by the group UHT, asking me if it reminded me of H.O.T. The comparison is an obvious one, given the names of the groups (UHT stands for "Under Hood Teenagers," H.O.T. stands for "High-five of Teenagers). Maybe it does sound a bit like the earlier, sweeter H.O.T., but UHT understands harmony a lot better than H.O.T. ever will.

The Internet is an amazing place, you want Thai music, there it is. Thai singer Christina Aguilar is easy to follow (if you aren't sick of Genie in a Bottle [RealAudio] yet, you probably don't own a radio), but I was looking for something less international. The next group I came across was Triumphs Kingdom, a duo of two girls named Bow and Joyce. Triumphs Kingdom has a disco sound, especially in Shy Boys [RealAudio].

Kow Jai Chun pit (Don't Get Me Wrong) [RealAudio] is more a pop tune.

One all-female group that has a very pretty sound is X3 Supergang. From the name of the group, I thought this would be hardcore rap music. It turns out that two girls (Ann and Preaw, both of which use Sunsilk shampoo) comprise X3, and together they sing sweet songs. Pleng Rak (Love Song) [MP3] is a nice little love ballad, while Jak-Sai-Ta-Jak-Hua-Jai (From My Eyes, From My Heart) [MP3] has a more of a folk sound.

Equally as melodic and soulful is Modern Dog's Korn (Before) [MP3]. Modern Dog is made up of four musicians that classify themselves as "alternative rock." Before is an old song by now, but it is worth listening to. It has a bit of twang, and it might remind you of a big country music hit for Glen Campbell, Country Boy (You Got Your Feet In L.A.).

The popular Black Briohny (nickname Kate) is a Thai-American (Thai-educated) singer with a solid pop sound. Sorry [RealAudio] is upbeat and happy (despite the subject/title), while DayDream [RealAudio] is more of a rock ballad (Promise [RealAudio], is very similar in style to DayDream).

It seems like female groups are as popular in Thailand as in Korea. Almost everywhere I looked I found something by Bubble Girls, comprised of Risa, Prae and Sam. When I first saw their pictures, I thought they were going to be too cute to bear. It's true their voices are really young (listen to Tua-Lek-Jai-Yai [RealAudio] for an example of this), but they are interesting.

Bang-krungktee-on-ae [RealAudio] is more mature ballad, and Krote-mai [RealAudio] is a decent slow song. Also by this group are Yak-fun-het-pol [RealAudio] and Yung-meaurn-derm-reu-plow [RealAudio]

While surfing around I found a woman by the title Super Beau. This is Beau Sunita Leetikul, whose debut album sold over 2,000,000 copies. Her Mai-kai-sia-jai [RealAudio] is a slow song with some life in it, and Tarm-jai [RealAudio] has a warm sound. The pace picks up a bit with Ow-yung-Ngai-Dee [RealAudio], which is a danceable tune.

Would you like to Comment on this article, or send it to a friend? You can do either one just below where you see:

• Submit Comments on this Article: or
• Mail this article to a friend?

If you would like to read more articles from this author begin by entering their last name in the "Site Search" box (located at top right of this screen), then press your "enter" key. Next, click on an article from those displayed.