The Kong Wong-yai (the large circle of gongs) is a melodic percussive instrument. Historical records reveal that this instrument has been in use since the Sukhothai Period. The Kong Wong-yai plays a significant role in playing the main melody of the song in the instrumental ensembles such as the Five-instrument Pii Pat ensemble, the Paired-instrument Pii Pat ensemble, the Grand Pii Pat ensemble, the Grand Mahori ensemble, etc. It normally presents a simple melodic line, but may be used to play the virtuoso solo style to show the skill of the musician.
         The Kong Wong-yai has three main component parts.
         1. The gongs (Luk Kong) are made of various kinds of metal. In the past the mixture of copper and tin was used while at present brass is used to produce the gongs in two kinds. One is made by beating the metal sheet while it is hot in order to make the desired shape. This kind of gong is called Kong Tee (the beaten gong). The other kind of gong is made by pouring the melted metal into the casting mold, which is called Kong Lor (the molded gong). The shape of each gong is round with bulging central knob as the position to be struck which is called Pum Kong (the knob of the gong). The skirt of each gong is folded down, called Chat (the umbrella), with pierced holes in the sides for inserting leather thongs to tie the gong to the circular frame. A mixture of lead filing and wax is fixed to the underside of the knob to tune the gong into the desired pitch.
         2. Raan Kong (the circular framework) is made of rattan rods curved into 2 circles (upper and lower) with open sections for the player to enter to sit inside the circular framework. The upper and lower circles are attached together with carved wooden spacers called “Luk Mahuad”. The gongs are tied to the upper circle with leather thongs starting from the left with the biggest gong (low pitch) going to the smallest gong (high pitch) on the right. The Kong Wong-yai has 16 gongs starting with the lowest pitch on the left called “Luk Tuan” which is similar to the western ‘Re’ pitch, and the highest pitch called “Luk Yod” on the furthest right.
         3. The playing sticks:
                 1) The leather stick (Mai Nang) has the handle made of good quality bamboo with joint inserted into the thick circular plate made of elephant skin or cow skin which has been properly prepared in order to produce clear and loud musical sound.
                 2) The soft stick (Mai Nuam) has the handle made of bamboo or wood inserted into a thick circular knob made of rolled cloth wound around with thread for durability and beauty. It produces soft beautiful musical sound.