Ethyl-p-methoxycinnammate (1) is a major component of the rhizome of Kaempferia galanga that has been found to have a diverse of pharmacological activity such as mosquito repellent and larvicidal, anti-tuberculosis, sedative, anticancer, analgesic and anti-inflammatory and hypo-pigmentary. In this research, we conducted the evaluation of the sedative-hypnotic activity of 1 and its amide derivative, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-methoxycinnamamide (2) by using diazepam-induced sleep models. Each compound was evaluated in a range of doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg (by oral route) and received diazepam at a dose of 20 mg/kg (Intraperitoneal). Result of assay indicated that compound 1 showed significant decrease onset of sleep at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg (p <0.05), and a significant increase in duration of sleep at a dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg (p<0.05), compared to the control group. Compound 2 increase onset sleep at doses of 100, 200 mg/kg (P <0.05), and a significant decrease in duration of sleep at a dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg (P <0.05), compared to control group. Hence, it suggests that compound 1 showed a significant sedative-hypnotic effect (p<0.05), whereas, compound 2 has no significant sedative-hypnotic effect (p>0.05).