Authors : Khamphan Yapatang, Souneth Phothisane and Sitthisak Champadaeng
Abstract: This research was a qualitative research. This aim of this study was to study the development on the folk songs of cultures between both Mekong river banks of Thailand and Lao PDR by the data from documents, field studies, purposive sampling, key informants, focus group discussion, casual informants and general informants. The results found that the development of Thai folk songs can be divided into four eras. First, the pioneer era in 1938-1963 AD (2481-2506 BE), the folk song did not completely distinguish itself clearly from another genre. Second, the musical movie era in 1964-1972 AD (2507-2515 BE, the folk song became a new musical genre. Next, it was the life music era in 1973 AE-1997 AD (2516 BE-2540 BE). The politics influenced the evolution of the folk music. Finally, the technological advancement era in 1998 AD (2541 BE) to present, the new equipment has been used to record the folk song. Moreover, the results revealed that the Thai folk song had more adaptation and technological application for production. For the development of Lao folk songs from 1940 to present can divided into four periods. First, the era of the French Empire in 1893-1954 AD (2493-2497 BE), it was the starting era of modern Lao folk song. The song styles were patriotic songs and revolutionary songs. Second, the era of the US Empire in 1954-1975 AD (2497-2518 BE), Baan Naa or Luk Thung song of Laos was originated. Next, the era of socialism in 1975-1986 AD (2518-2529 BE), the Baan Naa folk song was stopped to spread out because of the the coup d’etat. The forth era was the open era or current era in 1986 AD (2529 BE) to present. The cultural revolution from the state policies affected the music industries. Many music businesses were occurred to hold the trend. There was the spread out of the folk songs which brought changes from one to another from the past to the present times. The folk songs of Thai and Laos’s cultures between both Mekong river banks became wisdom media that presented a great value to both countries.
Khamphan Yapatang, Souneth Phothisane and Sitthisak Champadaeng, 2018. The Development of the Folk Songs of Cultures between both Mekong River Banks of Thailand and Lao PD. The Social Sciences, 13: 1155-1164.