Even before the Bowring treaty, economic expansion, inside and outside, brought to Siam a change in her social structure, notably increasing freedom from corvée for the phrai who could enter into professions. Consequently, before the Great Reform in 1892, there existed in Bangkok several professions, one of which was. Piphat Players was emerged largely because of the relaxed corvée system as well as the growth of entertainment industry and popularity of religions rites. During the reign of Rama V, the Piphat Players were supported by both the state and the nobelity since Piphat was considered part of Siam’s culural heritage. Because of the support from members of the miner classes, there existed therefore those Piphat Player under patronage and those "free" players. During the reign of Rama VI, the status of the Piphat Players under the court's patronage, was further strengthened while the growth of entertainment among the public helped proliferated the "schools" of Piphat. The growth of Piphat reflected the rising popularly of traditional Thai music which became an essential part of other entertainments such as Thai opera, Likay, etc.
