The Glong Aew is a folk drum of the Northern Region. It is similar to the Glong Yaao (Long Drum) but much larger and longer. The body is made of hard wood. The shape of the drum is narrow at the middle part. The rear part is tapering with flared conical-shaped end. The rear part is turned and cut into rings. The Glong Aew is a single-face drum. The leather face is tensioned with large leather cords along the shoulder of the drum which is about 75-80 centimeters long. The face of the drum is about 35-40 centimeters wide, while the rear part is about 95-100 centimeters long.
         The name Glong Aew comes from its shape which resembles the waist (sa-eo in Thai). Its name is called differently in each locality. In some places its name comes from its appearance. In some places its name comes from the sound it produces, while in some places the name comes from the folk tales. Its names are such as Glong Perng-mong (กลองเปิ้งมง), Glong Tok Seng (กลองต๊กเส้ง), Glong Eud (กลองอืด), etc.
         Before being played, the face of the drum must be weighted with sticky material called Jaa Glong (จ่ากลอง) which is made from a mixture of mashed steamed sticky rice and ash, according to each drummer’s personal formula. Sometimes mashed sun-dried banana baked with honey is fixed on the face of the drum to increase the resonance.
         The Glong Aew can be classified into 3 categories according to its size and the sound it produces. They are Glong Aew Siang Yai, Siang Glang and Siang Lek (the Glong Aew that produces large/low sound, medium sound and small/high sound respectively). The size of each kind of the Glong Aew is gradually different.
         Normally, the Glong Aew in the Northern Region is played in accompaniment with other kinds of instruments such as Talohd Pohd (ตะโล้ดโป๊ด), Sawa or large Chaap (สว่า--ฉาบใหญ่), Kong Ui (ฆ้องอุ้ย) and Kong Yong (ฆ้องโหย้ง). All these instruments are played accompanying the rhythms together and are called the Glong Teung Nong ensemble (วงกลองตึ่งโนง). In some occasions the loud wind instruments are also included such as Nae Noi and Nae Luang. Percussive instruments are also included in the ensemble according to each local preference.
         Formerly, the Glong Aew was a drum used in every temple in the Northern provinces. It was beaten to give temple signals on various occasions, such as marking the lunch time, calling for the assembly of monks for Buddhist rites or other routine practices. It was also used in other Buddhist ceremonies such as leading processions to the temples, celebrating a special place of a temple (Poi Luang), or the ordination of the novices (Poi Luk Gaew), which is a very important ceremony.
         Besides these ceremonial duties, competitions of the Glong Aew ensemble displays are widely organized in the third and fourth lunar months in the Northern Region, approximately in December or January. It is also played in the Fon Leb (fingernail dance) and Fon Tian (candle dance) processions. At present it is popularly played in important processions as well as shown on stages for tourists.