This is my first Songkran in Thailand.

I was just wondering as I listened to the drummer in the band outside in the village, in Chiang Mai City, what it was like before tremendous amplification of the drums, which is powerful enough to shake our concrete highrise to its core.

The music is just a steady beat without much musically of interest.

It seems to be some type of electronic rhythm software program connected to giant amplifiers and then a house sized boombox on a truck, which drives around in circles.

Is this traditional?

Because, in the old movies, or documentaries I watched on the History Channel,

I recall that Thai music was music, and it was not amplified electronically.

I prefer a live concert, but I do not appreciate amplification or electronic drumming aids.

Anyway, what did it sound like 40 years ago?

Not sure if music stores still exist, but if you ask for Chiang Mai Songkran music then they'd have that for you.

Many businesses play it around Songkran.

It's okay.. Not a huge fan, but kind of like hearing Christmas music it does fill me with some anticipation of the event.

Kind of like this:

And if you go back even further then it gets really hard-core Lanna.

This year the Wat just across the road from me has something new !!! a P.A. system yesterday they start at dawn with a bit of moralizing... first by a lady speaking very proper Thai admonishing drink and and vice... then the music, much like the sappy tunes of old.... then some more modern pop,... one Thai CD actually sounded like Fleetwood Mac during the Christeen McVee era... then ALL DAY POP but not bass booming so I survived, ... but yea the electronic Euro Zombie bass thump has taken over the world... I never got that and get as far away as possible.

Yes, correct. The new building rattling booming is emanating from near a Wat, but carried on a truck.