History
The Chotikul brothers were born in Loei Province in Northeast Thailand (Asanee: April 9, 1955, Wasan: March 25, 1957) and moved to Bangkok to study. They started out in the 1970s as a folk-rock combo called Isn't. The band name is derived from Isan, their home region in Thailand. The band participated in a folk song competition and won the award in 1974. After that they released several albums, including Sao ngam ta (Beautiful Girl) and Siam Square. Asanee, wanting to go in a more rock direction left the band, while Wasan continued for a time with Isn't. Asanee joined The Oriental Funk band of Rewat Buddhinan and later Butterfly.
The brothers released their first album as Asanee–Wasan in 1986, Bah horb fang (Carry a lot of Things) with Nite Spot. They were signed to Grammy Entertainment (now GMM Grammy) and released another album, Puk-chee roy nah (Sufficiency Makeover), which included the hits "Nung Mit Chid Klai" ("A Close Friend") and "Kor Keui Sanya" ("Used to Promise").
In concerts they frequently throw autographed guitar picks into the crowd as souvenirs. They are glued onto their guitar or microphone stand ready to be handed out. When they released their sixth album, Rung gin narm (Rainbow), they decided not to have any concerts to support the album. Therefore, a guitar pick was included in each copy of Rung gin narm (though not in subsequent production runs of the album).
Besides his work with his brother, Asanee Chotikul has been an influential producer for such bands as Micro and Tanate Waragulnukrao. When Thai rocker Sek Loso wanted to land a record deal, he mailed a demo tape to Asanee, who then released it on his own label, More Music, a subsidiary of GMM Grammy.
Asanee–Wasan celebrated with a 20th anniversary concert on May 12–14, 2006 at Impact Arena in Muang Thong Thani. Originally, just one show had been planned, but when tickets quickly sold out, two more were added, which also sold out. The pair also played shows in Nakhon Ratchasima and in Phuket. They were backed by Fahrenheit.
In 2011, they left GMM Grammy and co-founded a new company, Music Union, with fellow producers Chatree Kongsuwan, Nitipong Hornak and singer/businessman Vudtinun Bhirombhakdi. Asanee and Wasan have released some singles, available via digital download, with the new company. Artists joining Music Union includes Blackhead, Jamjun Project, Nicole Theriault, etc.
In 2024, the duo reunited to release the single "Ter Ja Pen Yang Chan Bang Rue Plao?" (เธอจะเป็นอย่างฉันบ้างหรือเปล่า; Will You Be Like Me?) under Move Records, which marked their final single. Two years later, in 2026, Asanee–Wasan announced their farewell concert, Farewell Concert Asanee–Wasan “I Want to Emphasize One Last Time…”, held at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani. The event comprised four regular performances on 2, 3, 5, and 6 September, followed by a final charity performance for the Ramathibodi Foundation on 8 September. Due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the initial performance, that show was cancelled and a replacement performance was scheduled for 9 September. Accordingly, 9 September 2026 is regarded as the group’s official disbandment date, concluding 40 years of activity under the name Asanee–Wasan.
