"The Haunted Drum"
"1821 A.D."
Kob... Kob... Kob.
Doung!
Tip!
Wait for me
"six years later"
Daddy, let's eat something.
Daddy, please have some rest.
Excellent, Ping, my grandson.
Pay attention, Ping!
Please take her out from the suffering.
Dad!!
Dad.
"20 years later"
(Chanting for revering ceremony)
Ping... The band house you're going belonged to Luang Bodin...
Where the first Perng Mang drum of Siam was made
They said that a mystic being is residing in that drum...
and protecting the band from danger
Hey! That egg is mine.
How greedy!
Oops! Who's that?
The messenger...
is the son of a band player in the royal palace
and his music talent is extraordinary
I therefore send him to your band
If, in any case he has done wicked things
Send him to get his punishment back in Thonburi at once
That's mine.
You flunk every damn year. Your talent is never as good as Chang's
Everyone in this place...
old or new... Listen to me one last time.
From now on, after I have said this order
Everyone must strictly abide by it
Within a burning of one incense...
I will not accept that the individual has given his or her vow to me...
If he or she has stepped out of this door,
May all sacred entities...
...be present in front of me
to listen to the honest words I'm about to avow.
As soon as the words are uttered...
Never will everyone in all generations...
break faith with...
nor defame by any means...
nor backbite the band to cause its downfall.
Whoever breaks the vow regardless of the reason
...will die within three days and
become a ghost on the fourth night.
No single grain of soil will cover their dead body.
Hey! Where are you from?
Huh?
Oh! I'm from Bangkok.
I see.
Well, I've never been to Bangkok before.
Daeng, my boy! Today is your day!
You're in deep shit with your debts why are you still doing it?
Shut your face!
This time I'll recoup all my losses.
Come on, my boy. Let's fight!
I hope you'll keep on with your cockfight.
You wicked beast!
A ghost will come get your ass.
It's true!
The dancer at the ritual...
The pretty one... what's her name?
That's Shine!
Don't even think of screwing up with her.
Or her man will kick the shit out of you.
Look at him
That's more like it.
The hair... The outfit... This is what it should be.
Well, I want a ring, new dresses.
Wow! They're flirting this early in the morning.
You can eat quite a lot too, huh?
I wonder what is your heart made of.
When your cock wins you treat him like your wife.
Don't stick your nose in my business!
You'd better spend your time with your instrument.
Fine! You're lucky that I don't know how to box.
If I do... you're in deep shit!
Son of a bitch!
Look at that jerk
What instrument did you play when you were there?
I'm really good at Tapon. (a two-faced drum)
But I'd like to play the Perng Mang, sir.
Are your parents in the Mon traditional band?
That's why you're interested in this instrument.
My mother is Mon.
She took me to the palace after my dad passed away.
Wait and see what your style is like.
To master the music You gotta go step by step...
If rush into it, you'll flunk out even before you start.
Right now, our provisions have less than a bucket of rice
Other food supplies like betel pepper, garlic are running out, too.
I'll give you two more sacks of rice,
three more piculs of peppers onions and dried food,
and half of the money that I have.
Thank you, sir.
And this is Deputy Muern from Ratchaburi district.
He also owns a band which is also second to none.
Deputy Muern will take care of this stuff for me.
If you need any support, let him know.
It must be priceless.
Seeing that the master treasures it so much.
Of course it is!
Even myself has never heard its roll.
Not so, sir
But this Perng Mang is not for playing the music.
We'd better finished setting up the band
...before the master is here or else, we'll be in trouble.
Are you two not gonna do any damn thing at all?
This is a funeral, isn't it?
Here comes your dream girl.
You want me to dance to the ghost or what?
Oh, you think dancing is your only responsibility?
When are you gonna stop boozing?
One day you'll get drunk to dead.
(Chanting)
What the hell is going on with him?
Hey! Chang!
Chang! Chang!
What's wrong with you, Chang?
Let's look at him
Chang...
Chang!
Oh! You poor Chang.
Where is the body gone?
All right, all right. Just go!
Go find any neglected body.
Come on! Go!
You poor Chang.
I don't know what evil thing you'd done to cost your life.
What are you afraid of?
The holy deity is real, you know?
When you uttered the vow didn't you feel anything?
I didn't feel a thing.
Well, since Chang unexpected died...
Who will play the Perng Mang?
Who could that be... except Pai?
That's his dream come true.
Let's go.
Whose house is that?
It's strictly prohibited for everyone.
You wanna live here don't ask anything.
How come?
And don't get curious about anything.
Karn.
What?
Do you hear an instrument playing?
No! And I don't wanna hear it either.
Hurry up! Let's go!
Don't you know that entering this place is forbidden?
Do you hear what I'm asking you?
Well... I'm a member of the band of...
You gotta leave before you cause me trouble.
Please take her out from the suffering...
You're still adjusting yourself?
Unlike somebody...
who always wanna sleep whenever he wants.
You'll play the Tapon drum in place of Pai.
I'll have Pai play the Perng Mang in place of Chang.
Pai is quite a skilled drummer.
But his drumming style is completely artless.
If I don't hold him up he'd ruin the beauty of my music.
Karn! Go get Pai over here!
Pai! Stop!
Try it one more time.
Enough! Stop! Stop!
The sound of one Tapon drum...
could make more sense than a whole row of Perng Mang.
Music is not only about out-performing others.
It's like when you eat...
If you only care for filling your stomach,
You won't gonna appreciate a good taste of it.
This is what I've always been playing.
And are you gonna play like this forever?
Take Karn as an example.
Karn!!
Yeah! Fantastic!
Excellent play!
He started by being just an instrument cleaner
then he learned to play the cymbals or claves.
Who knows? He might replace you in the Perng Mang spot.
But if he's still such a schloomp zonking out all day.
He won't go anywhere.
Listen, determination and attentiveness
are not really the same thing.
You're here again? You really wanna cause me trouble?
Don't get me wrong.
All I want is to practice playing the Perng Mang.
Please allow me to be here.
I promise I won't tell anyone.
Let me help you.
So you clean all these up.
You wanna play it, don't you?
How about playing and cleaning at the same time?
My name is Ping.
And what's yours?
I'm Tip.
Are you from the Mon clan?
My parents used to play instruments in the Mon band.
How come I've never seen you at around at the band house?
Because I'm not one of the dancers.
Why I saw you at the teacher revering ceremony?
An auspicious ritual like that ...everyone wouldn't miss it.
I'm also the one with a master like you.
If you don't stop asking I gonna chase you away.
What do you think?
Very nice.
Look! Do you see that?
Shine! This is for buying the Master's medicine.
If you don't spill the bean who's gonna know?
Mr. Deputy wanna have a chat with you.
That's all you can do with those drums?
How could a girl like you know about the drums?
All right. Follow me.
The water will help calm you down...
It's a wonderful barrier that can block you
...from those seven drums.
Your hand is cold.
It's the water that's cold.
Go practice. I have something else to do.
Is this beautiful?
Come look at it closer.
Yes.
Very beautiful indeed, sir.
It's too bad that this costume...
...doesn't have a suitable dancer to wear it.
Are you interested?
Is being in such a so-so band bored you at all?
Do you wanna work with me?
Are you being serious?
Don't you wanna be well-to-do like others, Pai?
I have to keep the vow I gave to the band.
I can't move anywhere, sir.
Listen, Pai.
Is it true that the Perng Mang at your band is supernatural?
I've heard that the bedridden members
who worshiped it were miraculously recovered.
The band that owns it will prosper.
But the owner must be the one with accumulated merit.
And do you think that I'm qualified?
I'll give you some time to think about my offer.
Do you hear that?
Isn't it "The Crow at the coffin" song?
Shine!
Go!
Help me take that Perng Mang.
Hey... Tip!
Tip.
Excuse me! Where is the doctor's place?
Let me go.
Help me! Help me!
Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!
I saw you're sleeping. I don't wanna wake you up.
You had a nightmare?
It's kind of late now... you'd better go to bed.
Go!
Let's move to the Deputy's place, honey.
Please.
Don't you see how Chang ending up his life?
I believe because he's broken his vow.
Bullshit!
Do you really believe in that ridiculous vow?
I don't care.
I'm not gonna be a dead hag in this band.
But I'm a Perng Mang Drummer of the band now.
A Perng Mang drummer?
Let me ask you, Pai.
Can you fill your stomach with that?
If we move to live with the Deputy,
We can get anything we desire.
Or you don't love me anymore?
Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Stop!
Where the hell has your mind gone, Shine?
Get out!
Get the hell out of my face!
Didn't you hear me? Get out!
Master Doung, Shine is not feeling well, sir.
Fine!
I hope you don't get sick too.
Whoever stop the practice before noon will be get whipped.
Keep it up!
I will never stop my life at being a dancer of this low-class band.
No, I won't.
I won't let the Master take advantage of me forever.
You aren't allowed to take anything with you
It was left in the house.
What would you do if anyone saw it?
I kept it for returning it to you.
How come nobody here seems to know you?
Haven't I told you not to tell anyone that you come here?
I didn't tell anyone.
I'm just curious why you're never around outside.
I'm sorry if I upset you.
I have something to show you.
That's too bad.
A gifted person don't take advantage of his talent.
But the inept one is trying to catch hold of the star.
Haven't you ever dreamed of being a royal Perng Mang drummer?
It'll make you an affluent man.
I live alone. I have no one to take care of.
And you wanna be a dancer like this forever?
Even if I'm just a dancer...
I'm delighted to serve the one I love.
Even it costs my life.
Sometimes you look mild and gentle.
But at times you seem so serious.
And what do I look like now?
Now?
Beautiful.
But if you wanna get more beautiful...
Put more smiles on your face.
Has anyone ever told you
that your mouth will lead you to deep trouble?
Where are you going?
If I'm still here
I'll be flirted by a wolf like you.
Since Master Doung's band has defamed me...
from now on, I'll cut half of the provisions and the allowance.
Within a week, if your band
still can't find the drummer to complete the band.
I'll assign the band of the Deputy of Ratchaburi District
to replace your band until further notice.
Since your band is now lacking both the drummer and dancer,
Why don't you merge your band with mine?
That would be impossible, sir.
My band has a rule that it won't merge with others.
Master...
Don't you feel for your band's members?
Think about it carefully.
I can still help you out from that order.
I humbly accept everything in that order, sir.
Let's go.
Has Shine visited your place recently?
How the hell could I know?
I'm so sorry, sir.
A talented dancer like her really wanna go far...
farther than being in this poverty-stricken band.
Why do we have to take this burden?
If he wanna starve to dead... let him do it alone.
Even Shine has already moved out.
Burden?
That you're living happily right now doesn't make you appreciate?
What the hell do you know?
A futureless, sluggish cymbals man.
I still have my family to take care of.
Who the hell has brought you up?
Just wait until I join the band of the Deputy.
However much of food... you name it.
I'll return every single grain back.
Are you gonna disregard the vow?
If that vow gets stuck in my mouth I'll spit it out.
And eat to get full.
I'm not chewing betel and get full like the Master!
Calm down
What the hell did you stop me?
Such a backstabbing bastard!
Let me go! Let me go!
Hey! Hey!
What are you two fighting for?
Why don't you help each other think
...of the way we can get out of this predicament.
You don't have anyone to worry about
but we all are about to get starved to dead now.
Do you wanna die happily or tragically?
And why the fuck are you?
Enough! That's enough!
Asshole!
You're an asshole!
That's what you get from being such a bully.
Ouch!
But if they could choose
I'm sure they wouldn't do that.
Do you think like them too?
Here is the best place in my life.
Recently I've had quite a strange dream.
You must be worried too much about the Master.
I don't know how I managed to fight with Mhee today...
Your power can do many more things.
Not something like that.
Stop monkey around!
Go practice your drum.
Since your band is lacking quite a few members,
Why don't you merge with the Deputy's?
So the band can get bigger.
I guess Master Doung isn't quite ready for that.
All right, I don't wanna force anyone.
How about a contest between the two bands?
So we know whose band is to be merged.
Do you like my idea, Deputy Muern?
I wholeheartedly agree, His Highness.
I myself have to acknowledge to the Master in advance
If on the day of contest
my band ends up losing.
What do you think, Master?
I deeply appreciate your kindness Your Highness.
Karn!!
Are you gonna get any better in this life?
We've already been practicing all day long.
Let allow us to take a brake.
No! Keep up the practice!
What's up with you, Pai?
Master...
If I have a chance to play the holy Perng Mang,
The Deputy's band will surely lose in the contest.
Are you that sure, Pai?
Good!
If your mind is really into it,
Any Perng Mang will do.
Now... go back to your practice.
But Master...
Back to practice, don't you hear?
Go!
Master... Ting is very ill...
I'm afraid he can't get recovered on time for the contest.
I've been so good and faithful to the band
but the Master has never value my contribution.
You're right.
I too wanna know what will happen
if the band is without you.
Like Shine... I don't see the Master give a damn
about her life.
Close your eyes and ears.
If you don't wanna see or hear anything.
I'm cold
The Ghost... Inviting... Song
Ting... you gotta be strong.
Be strong.
Hey!
If you smell the coconut milk tonight go to bed at once.
Why?
Just do it... Don't ask anything.
You looked kind of uptight recently.
My mom... she's working alone.
I wanna go home to help her in the farm.
How about your dad?
My dad?
Because I'm a useless bum.
He doesn't accept me as his son.
Anyway, at least I still have my mom to worry about.
Thank you, Ping.
The contest day is coming near.
But you don't look so enthusiastic.
I can't concentrate.
What if you lose, what are you gonna do?
Do you wanna be with the Deputy's band?
Can I be with you here?
You told me that you could do anything for your loved one.
Me too. I wanna be with you.
And with the Master here forever.
You don't believe me?
If I don't keep my words may I get killed tragically...
Enough!! What is going on here?
Is this some kind of joke?
I have expected that you'll make the best show.
And what the heck is this?
The pitchy music?
How dare you accept the contest with such a poor performance?
You really disappointed me.
Now you all have seen that...
the Master's band has lost the contest to me.
Those who want a better life just follow me.
Give it to me!
Just go... don't take anything with you.
You think I want a useless slave like you?
What I am is none of your business.
I'm not a traitor like you.
And don't forget to get ready for a deadly consequence.
Who doesn't have a coffin,
I'll give it for free.
Just a way to make merit from pieces of craps.
What?
You fucking dipshit!
Enough!
That's enough...
At least, think about what I have done for you.
Master!! Master!!
Master!
Why are you worried?
You've made a right choice to be here.
Otherwise, Pai wouldn't move here.
Is that true, Ting?
Yeah.
Thank you for inviting me here
Or else I'd still be in such a trashy place.
Okay.
The spirit in that drum is horrifying.
Master Doung's lucky that the spirit is protecting him.
Soon that luck will be with me.
You might be the one who inherits the band from the Master.
I couldn't even think about it.
I've never thought of loving anyone since my father passed away,
Still, you can make me love you.
Ping.
You might be destined here to save our band.
You've never told me about your father.
You must love him dearly.
Though I am just his step-daughter
I love him very much...
...even more than he loves me.
Listen to me.
When we have kids I'll be the best father
and the husband who loves you more than my own life.
He's been searching for sacred objects all over the place.
Last year he also pestered at my Master's band.
My Master was griped so much that he's depressed to dead.
Even worse he took my Master's favorite Tapon with him.
Master Yoon is here.
To help our band for the time being.
Until we can find a new replacement.
I think it'll be quite difficult.
Is your life at Ratchaburi not comfortable enough?
So you are here, Master Yoon.
Even yourself are not at your place
but harassing others everywhere you go.
Take all the instrument.
Including this Perng Mang!
Stop! How dare you?
This is the command of His Highness.
Then, I'd like to dare you in a contest.
Proof it that your band deserves this Perng Mang.
Why don't you give it a shot, Sir?
To show them how tough we are.
That's too much, you prick!
Ping!
Fine!
If I lose, I'll accept the defeat.
But if you lose,
I'll take every single instrument from here!
You won't get anything from me!
Are you gonna disregard the vow?
If that vow gets stuck in my mouth,
I'll spit it out.
And fill my stomach with food
Mhee!
Take everything out of here.
Including this Perng Mang!
You can't do that!
Hey! Stop!
Master! Master!
Are you all right, sir?
They took it... They took it away.
Doung! Doung!
Master Yoon.
Hurry up! Take the band back home.
Things are getting chaotic here.
Ping... Karn
Get out of here now!
But Master...
Go!
Where are you going?
Anywhere but here.
What did you just say?
Didn't you see that?
Eventually all he cares about is that Perng Mang.
During this crisis...
How could you still think about yourself?
Did you forget the vow you'd made?
Ping, all these times I've been here.
I love and be faithful to the beauty of music.
You'd better ask yourself why you're still here.
I've made a decision.
Whenever my boat departs from here.
Nobody can blame me anything.
I'm glad that I accepted you in my band.
If Master Sao was still alive he should be proud of you.
Ping, you must inherit the band from me.
Because you are the descendant of Master Sao...
who founded this band with Luang Bodin, my father.
And you're the only one who can read the scripture.
Here.
There is a family cemetery behind the house.
Since you now know everything,
you must do the right thing.
You'll be recovered in just a few days.
And our band will be all right.
My time is almost up.
I know you're born for this, Ping.
Promise me that you'll make it.
By the way, I have one more thing to ask you a favor.
I want you to take care of Karn.
Don't abandon him.
Karn.
Are you hurt?
Take this to redeem your farm.
Here.
And tell your mom that I'm sorry...
that I didn't take care of you both well.
Take the best care of your mom.
I'm sorry.
Dad.
I'm sorry.
Dad.
Bottom up!
Deputy will be back at dark.
Drink as you like.
Use that Tapon to help you.
About Mhee's gruesome death,
I think it must be due to that spooky drum.
We'd better go back to the Master.
Damn! If you're afraid why are you here?
I didn't think about it at that time.
Where the hell is Pai?
Is this a good drum?
Long time no see, isn't it?
And you suffer this torment all these times.
Doung.
I don't wanna see you in this situation.
At that time, you sacrificed your life
to complete what Dad dearly loved.
But this time don't let the impossibility...
tie you up and prolong your suffering.
Do what your heart tells you.
Sooner or later we'll meet again at some place.
Please forgive me.
Dad, I'm sorry.
For making your band become such a failure.
Mom!
Burn it down!
You must be my slave forever you wicked soul.
I'll show you the living hell!
I treat you well and you don't like it.
Your soul must face the consequence you deserve.
Stop!
Is this what those idolizing you get in return?
Even the Master and a good man like Karn
who are faithful to the band till their last breath.
You still viciously did that.
No!
What? Let me go!
Let me go! Get away from me!
It's hot.
Let me go.
Tip...
Why did they treat you like that?
I myself asked them to.
I thought that my skin...
...would help me live with my Dad forever.
But finally he left me.
And deserted me here for decades.
Until I met you...
Ping
You are my true love for this life.
Tip... Why?
For all these times you're the only one
who took the loneliness away from my heart.
How am I gonna live without you?
You can't leave me, Tip.
No such thing in this world is permanent.
Except the memory of true love in our hearts
that will remain with us forever.
Once I chose my own path...
torturing me in the never-ended suffering.
But this time...
You are the one who choose the path for me.
Ping.
Take care of yourself.
From now on...
I won't have a chance to take care of you anymore.
All my past teachers and Deity...
May I use the your sacredness within my words...
...to release her soul...
...to the abode of the blessed.
Tip...
Master!
We wholeheartedly reverence all deities
as well as our teachers who altogether inspire us
to make this film
Love... that cross the path through time
Passes through... then passes by...
Eternal ties that confine you within
Through heart and mind in love and faith
Loneliness... enters with dark coldness
The past that binds your mind and soul
Agony for the love taken from you
Young at heart you hold to the promise
Perng Mang drums the sound of your suffering
Awaken by the pain of your ties
Your strong desire to love held back in pain
Aching for love begging all to please release me
Hope... returns with love
Tears of sorrow are washed away
The love that binds by soul
Able to love with only body
As the heart is still confined
Beg Perng Mang as you cry to the heavens
Take my body through my tears as sacrifice for this life
What sins binds my soul from flying free
Plead for the heavens to release me
What sins binds my soul from flying free
Plead for the heavens to release me
"The Last Ballad of Perng Mang"