The ranat ek (Thai: ระนาดเอก, "alto xylophone") is a Thai xylophone. It has 22 wooden bars suspended by cords over a boat-shaped trough resonator, and is played with two mallets. It is used as a leading instrument in the piphat ensemble.
The ranat ek is played by two types of mallets. The hard mallets create the sharp bright sound when they keys are hit.The hard mallets are used for faster playing. The soft mallets create a mellow and softer tone which is used for slower songs.
ranat ek bars are typically made from rosewood (Dalbergia oliveri; Thai: ไม้ชิงชัน; mai ching chan), although in rare instances instruments with bamboo bars can be found.
Some ranat ek players are able to play two instruments at the same time, placed at right angles to each other.
The ranat ek is very similar to a Cambodian xylophone called roneat ek.