Playing the “glass harp,” a set of wine glasses filled with varying levels of water, has made their stay in prison more bearable, say present and former Thai inmates.

“My life in prison used to be filled with anxiety and just waiting for my family to visit. But learning the glass harp calmed me down,” said Champ (not his real name), 27, who was released in January after spending nine years in jail.

Champ is one of many inmates who learnt how to play the unusual musical instrument under the direction of Weeraphong Thaweesak, a Catholic.

Each wine glass, filled with water up to different levels, produces a note of a specific pitch when the player slides his wet fingers across its rim.

“The glass harp is more than just … for entertainment. I use it as a means to inspire prisoners and transform their lives,” said Weeraphong, 49, the only professional glass harpist in Thailand and one of only a handful in the world.

His prison ministry started seven years ago when he was invited by the Catholic Commission for Women to perform in the Nakhon Pathom Central Prison, outside Bangkok, for 500 inmates.

“They seemed to enjoy the music,” Weeraphong recalled. Later, he decided to teach them to play the instrument after seeing that “it could make changes” in their behavior.

Weeraphong presently conducts the 30-strong glass harp ensemble in Nakhon Pathom prison. The group has performed publicly and also won an award.

Weeraphong also visits other prisons to teach inmates the instrument.

Playing the glass harp has helped to “soften” inmates’ temperaments, said prison officer Piamsuk Pavanuwong. It is like meditation that helps control aggression and create better interpersonal relations, he added.

An inmate who has been in jail for three years, agrees, saying the experience has made her life in prison more bearable.

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TH10790.1614