The long drum is not the only instrument that found in monasteries. Bells also play an integral part in monastic life and are used throughout the country. Their ringing, heard acro...

The long drum is not the only instrument that found in monasteries. Bells also play an integral part in monastic life and are used throughout the country. Their ringing, heard across the rice fields surrounding a rural wat, is in its way as evocative as the peals of English church bells. Thai bells, always bronze, are generally much smaller (approximately 30 cm [12 in] wide to one m [3ft] tall, but there is considerable variation in size and shape.

At monasteries pilgrims frequently visit that and worshippers there may be a number of bells, often donated, rung by the faithful as part of their merti-making. Apart from these, there is the bell used by the monks to regulate the day�s activities.

In the more important monasteries, the bell is housed in a special building: a bell tower known as ho rakhang. Although there is no standard design for this structure, most are raised, with the bell hanging in a small space, sufficient for none person to strike it. A steep flight of steps, or a ladder accesses it.