The Ranad-Ek is a melodic percussive instrument that is said to have developed from the use of the Grap Mai (wooden clappers) or the use of a set of stones of different sizes that are lined up and struck to produce musical sounds. Later the sound box was created to make more beautiful and resonant sounds.
         The Ranad-Ek plays an important role as a lead instrument in various kinds of traditional Thai ensembles such as the Five-instrument Pii Pat ensemble, the Paired-instrument Pii Pat ensemble, the Grand Pii Pat ensemble, the Pii Pat Nang Hong ensemble, the Mahori ensemble, etc. At present the Ranad is also widely played in the contemporary ensembles.
         The Ranad-Ek has the following main component parts.
         1. Peun Ranad (a set of wooden musical slats): In the past the wooden slats were made of the stem section of a specie of bamboo. The stem section is split and cut into a graded series of slats. The slats are then soaked in the water for several months to adjust the dampness content of the wood and to prevent termite and other insect attack. Then the wooden slats are baked until completely dry, which is called Kaa Fai (left on the fire), cut into the desired length, pierced at each end, and tied together with a cord. The pitches are tuned by using the melted mixture of lead filing and beeswax molded into small pads and fixed to the underside of each end of the wooden slat (Luk Ranad). In the past there were 21 Luk Ranad in a Peun Ranad, but at present there are 22 Luk Ranad for more convenience when playing the instrument. Besides, it is now popular to use hard woods such as the blackwood, rosewood and Burmese ebony instead of bamboo.
         2. Rang Ranad (the trough stand) has the shape similar to a boat, functioning as the sound box. Each end of the Rang Ranad is covered by a sheet of wood called Khon. Two hooks are fixed to the inner face of each Khon for suspending the Peun Ranad above the Rang Ranad. Under the central part of the Rang Ranad there is a piece of wood attached as a base, called Tao Ranad (the Ranad foot).
         3. The playing sticks:
         The Ranad-Ek has two kinds of playing sticks.
               3.1 The soft sticks (Mai Nuam): The handle is made of the mature bamboo stick with a small rectangular knob at one end for fixing the head of the stick, which is made by winding a roll of cloth around the knob until getting the desired size. Then the knob is coated with rice flour glue, before being bound all around with thread for durability. Lastly the head is protected all around with a strip of cloth.
               3.2 The hard sticks (Mai Khaeng) has a similar process of making as the soft sticks, but after the head of the stick is wound around with thread and covered with cloth, it is soaked in the sap of the lacquer tree to harden the head. Then the rim of the head is covered with cloth again. At present, other kinds of hard or synthetic materials, such as marble or plastic, are being adapted for use instead of glue or the wax of the lacquer tree.