The Haunted Drum
A drum of human skin binds a ghost and a musician's fate.
The Haunted Drum (Thai: เปิงมาง กลองผีหนังมนุษย์, romanized: Perng Mang The Haunted Drum) is a 2007 Thai horror drama film directed by Nuttapeera Shomsri and Sarunya Noithai.
In 19th-century Siam, a young man named Ping aspires to become a musician like his parents, who were royal performers. After his grandfather dies, he asks Ping to free a woman’s spirit from its suffering. As an adult, Ping studies under Master Duang, a famous musician who owns a mysterious drum called the poeng mang, said to be made from the skin of a beautiful woman named Thip. Ping falls in love with a girl who teaches him drumming, but she is actually the ghost living inside the drum. Meanwhile, an arrogant musician named Muan tries to persuade Master Duang’s students to join the band of a greedy provincial deputy. Several students die horribly. Although Ping defeats Muan in a drum contest, matters worsen, and the drum becomes an instrument of death.
It is revealed that Thip sacrificed herself to create the drum and has since acted as its guardian spirit. After Thip kills many students who sided with the deputy, the deputy orders the music school burned down. When he tries to steal the sacred drum, Thip kills him and his men, and he is dragged to hell by those cursed by the drum. Ping reads a letter from Master Duang containing an incantation to free Thip’s spirit. After freeing her, Ping arrives at the ruined school and meets the school’s wealthy patron, who helps rebuild it. Decades later, Ping succeeds Master Duang as head of the academy. One day during a performance, he sees a vision of Thip and dies, reuniting with her in the afterlife.
The Haunted Drum became available on Toku on 8 April 2017 and as VOD through Amazon Prime Video.
- title
- The Haunted Drum
- directors
- Nuttapeera Shomsri, Sarunya Noithai
- release_year
- 2007
- country
- Thailand
- genre
- Horror drama
- language
- Thai
- home_media
- Toku (8 April 2017), Amazon Prime Video (VOD)
Lore & Background
Set in 19th century Siam, the film follows Ping, a young man who aspires to be a musician like his royal musician parents. After his grandfather's death, Ping is tasked with releasing a woman spirit from suffering. As an adult, he becomes a student of Master Duang, who owns a mysterious drum called poeng mang, said to be made from the skin of a beautiful woman named Thip. Ping falls in love with a girl who teaches him drum skills, but she is actually the ghost living inside the drum. Meanwhile, an arrogant musician named Muan tries to lure students away to join a greedy provincial deputy's band, leading to several deaths. Ping defeats Muan in a drum contest, but the drum becomes an instrument of death.
Reader's Guide
The Haunted Drum is significant as a Thai horror drama that weaves folklore and supernatural elements into a narrative about music, sacrifice, and redemption. The film explores themes of artistic legacy, the consequences of greed, and the power of love beyond death. Its plot involves Thip, who sacrificed herself to become the drum's guardian spirit, and the deputy's attempt to steal the drum, which results in his death and damnation. Ping ultimately frees Thip's spirit using an incantation from Master Duang's letter, then rebuilds the music school. Decades later, Ping dies after seeing a vision of Thip, reuniting with her in the afterlife. The film's legacy lies in its unique cultural perspective on horror, using traditional Thai music and spiritual beliefs to drive the story. It became available on Toku and Amazon Prime Video, extending its reach to international audiences.
Did You Know?
- The drum in the film is called poeng mang and is said to be made from the skin of a woman named Thip.
- The ghost of Thip acts as the guardian spirit of the drum and kills students who join the deputy's side.
- Ping frees Thip's spirit by reading an incantation from Master Duang's letter.
- The film became available on Toku on 8 April 2017 and as VOD through Amazon Prime Video.
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