Thailand: A sueng (fretted lute) sits on the ground in Wat Phra Kaeo Don Tao Buddhist temple, Lampang

The sueng (also spelled seung or süng) is a plucked fretted lute from the northern region of Thailand. The instrument is made from hardwood and its strings (numbering either four or six and arranged in courses of two) are most often made of steel wire. It has nine bamboo frets.

The sueng is part of a northern Thai traditional ensemble called the salo-so (saw)-sueng ensemble, along with the salo (3-string spike fiddle) and pi so (free reed pipe).

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CPA Media Co. Ltd.

Photographer:

David Henley

Credit:

Pictures From History