Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mŏr lam
is Thailand's blues; it's a folk tradition firmly rooted in northeast Thailand and
Laos and is based on the songs played on the
kaan
(a wind instrument devised of a double
row of bamboo-like reeds fitted into a hardwood soundbox). The oldest style is most
likely to be heard at a village gathering and has a simple but insistent bass beat and is of-
ten sung in Isan dialect.
Mŏr lam
has jumped the generational fence and now has an elec-
trified pop version and a seriously silly side.
As economic migrants from across the country have moved to Bangkok, the two genres
have merged with each other as well as with other forms. Contemporary singers might
sing about city woes, factory work or being too fat backed up by a dance club beat.
Thailand's most famous
lôok tûng
singer was Pumpuang Duangjan, who received a roy-
ally sponsored cremation when she died in 1992 and a major shrine at Suphanburi's Wat
Thapkradan. Gravelly voiced Siriporn Ampaipong helped carry the tradition afterwards
and is still beloved. The new
lôok tûng
princesses are Yingli Sijumpon, a sweetheart from
Buriram, and Baitoi R Siam, who has crossed over into sexy pop. Pai Pongsaton and Tai
Orathai are other stalwarts. Auu Jeerawat has an acoustic take on the genre.
TRADITIONAL INSTRUMENTS
»
þèe
High-pitched woodwind, often heard at Thai-boxing matches
»
rá·nâht èhk
Bamboo-keyed percussion that resembles a xylophone
»
kórng wong yài
Tuned gongs arranged in a semicircle
»
đà·pohn (tohn)
A double-headed hand-drum
»
pĭn
Four-stringed instrument plucked like a guitar
»
sor
Slender bowed instrument with a coconut-shell soundbox
»
klòo·i
Wooden flute
Thai Rock & Pop
The 1970s ushered in the politically conscious folk rock of the USA and Europe, which
the Thais dubbed
pleng pêu·a chee·wít
('songs for life'). Chiefly identified with the Thai
band Caravan, this style defined a major contemporary shift in Thai music. Songs of this
nature have political and environmental topics rather than the usual love themes. During
the authoritarian dictatorships of the '70s many of Caravan's songs were officially
banned. Another longstanding example of this style, Carabao mixed in rock and heavy
metal and spawned a whole generation of imitators.
