Mor Lam can be regarded as a localized music genre in Bangkok and Thailand. Some foreigners stop for a while, clapping their hands occasionally. Innovative though it might sound, most locals, nevertheless, seem apathetic to her performance, passing by without paying much attention to her. A typical example of Bangkok street music of a cross-cultural nature, traditional Thai plucked string music is married with music originating in North America. The melodic line sounds completely Thai in its tonal structure, but the use of electronic looping is definitely an imported musical technique. A donation box with notes next to her indicates that she is raising money for her studies. The “modernized” Mor Lam is strongly influenced by American bluegrass music. In audio file 10, a student improvises freely with an electric phin ( พิณ), a local version of the Western electric guitar. Originated in Laos and Isan (a/the northeastern region in Thailand), Mor Lam is a prominent music genre in Thailand. The picture of an urban musical soundscape in Bangkok cannot be complete without mention of the influence of Mor Lam street performances. Mor Lam (หมอลำ) performance at Sathorn Transit Pier in Bangkok Artbox Bangkok, Episode 4: “When I was young,” outside Makkasan City Terminal, BangkokĬase 7: Mor Lam (หมอลำ) performance near Chao Phraya RiverĪudio file 10: Mor Lam (หมอลำ) performance at Sathorn Transit Pier However, if the surrounding sonic nuances – such as the sounds of vendors (mostly selling European snacks, pastries and desserts) – are taken into account, the soundscape projects a rather precise aural image of cultural trends in Bangkok. With the lack of traditional musical instruments, one might not be convinced that this music really represents the city or even Thailand.
The only “Thai” feature to be heard are perhaps the lyrics. Unlike the Muay Thai matches in Ratchadamnoen Stadium, the live music in the open-air market show contains no trace of Thai traditional music, but pop and rock tunes from outside the country.
Alongside the pop and rock music performances held on site, Artbox Bangkok Container Market has constructed an urban soundscape that incorporates the music favoured by the young Thais in Bangkok. For people from European countries, such as Germany, spending a weekend in a (shipping) container-built market with live music and beer may not sound new, but for many locals in Bangkok it is a novel adventure. The aforementioned nostalgic soundscapes can be set in contrast to the musical soundscapes of the “present.” Outdoor live music shows in Bangkok may sometimes reveal the musical preferences of the middle class and younger generation. What do the urban soundscapes of a city represent? Case studies in Bangkok and Hong Kong / 都市聲音有何個性? 考察曼谷和香港之城市聲景 -Ĭase 6: Live music at Artbox Bangkok Exhibition Flea Market Encompassing street music, ritual activities, boxing matches, fresh produce markets, shopping arcades, commuting systems and various public spaces in Bangkok and Hong Kong, this article introduces case studies and contextualizes some distinct urban soundscapes, employing first-hand audio footage, as an initial pathway for building an auditory acquaintance with the region. Nevertheless, studies of their distinctive sonic phenomena are underrepresented in the field of sound studies. Bangkok and Hong Kong are two open societies in Southeast Asia, within which local and imported auditory cultures co-exist, correlating to the demographics, cultural heritage, and recent geopolitical, economic and social transformations. Urban soundscapes convey the cultural codes, history and collective memory of a society.