Big Blog 2: Luk Thung/ Thai Country

 

What is Luk Thung?

Phleng Luk Thung, more commonly known as Thai Country music is a music genre started in Thailand in the early 1900’s. The term Luk Thung in Thai means Child of the Fields which refers to people who grew up in rural countryside areas. Luk thung is made up of themes of Thai culture, values, country lifestyle, and social challenges from the perspective of working-class people, particularly those from rural areas. This genre can be traced back to Eua Sunthornsanan who was a Thai singer and composer. He introduced Western music into Thai culture which would eventually turn into Phleng Thai Sakon or international-style Thai music. This genre incorporates Western instruments and Thai traditional music. It would eventually find its way to the countryside leading to the birth of Luk Thung. Singers at the beginning of this genre such as Kamron Samboonnanon and Suraphol Sombutchareon were referred to as Nak Rong Talad or down-to-earth singers as they wrote songs in a manner that resonated with the grassroots/ rural audiences. The themes of these songs often revolved around the simple countryside lifestyle.

Kamron Samboonnanon

Speaking of lyrics more common day lyrics of Luk Thung explore themes of rural life, such as the beauty of the countryside, love stories, as well as religious beliefs and norms. The lyrics of this genre are often praised for their poetic form, which usually follows traditional Thai poetic composition rules. Lyrics of Luk Thung are performed with a clear and full-range voice, or with a technique known as luk kho which is a style of vibrato.

Luk Thung Variations

The Luk Thung genre can have many different styles especially regionally. These variations from different parts of Thailand can be characterized by the region's history, traditions, and geography. I will only be going lightly into five of them: Central Thai Luk Thung, Isan Luk Thung, Luk Thung Kantrum, Luk Thung Kam Mueang, and Southern Thai Luk Thung. 

Central Thai Luk Thung is a very influential style of Luk Thung as it originated from traditional folk songs such as Phleng Choi, Phleng E-Saew, and Phleng. Traditional instruments used in this style usually include klong yao (long drums), ranat (Thai xylophone), ching (cymbal), and krab (wooden clappers) that are combined with Western instruments such as drums, guitars, etc.

Isan Luk Thung comes from Northeast Thailand, which is a larger region. The rhythm and melody of this variation come from Mor Lam, traditional Northeastern music, and serng, a type of dance. The lyrics of Isan Luk Thung are also characterized by the distinctive Isan dialect. Traditional instruments used for this style usually include khaen, a bamboo mouth organ, or pong lang, a wooden xylophone. This style is also one of the most famous sub-genres with a wide audience of Thai and international fans. Iconic singers from this style include Jintara Poonlarp and Monkaen Kaenkoon.

Luk Thung Kantrum also known as Isaan-Khmer-Style Folk Song comes from the southern Isan region. This region is rather diverse with its major ethnic groups being Thai, Lao, Khmer, etc. Kantrum is a type of fol music of the Khmer people who live in the areas. It is usually performed at weddings funerals and religious rituals. As Luk Thung came through the area the two styles merged creating Luk Thung Kantrum. The style usually has instruments like tro, Khmer fiddle, skor, Khmer drum, and modern instruments like electric guitar, bass, keyboard, etc.

Luk Thung Kam Mueang comes from the northern region of Thailand. This style uses the Northern Thai dialect Lanna also known as Kham Mueang.  Luk Thung Kam Mueang is similar to Western folk music but uses instruments like the salor, a northern Thai fiddle, acoustic guitar, and soft singing.

Southern Thai Luk Thung comes from, as you can guess, the southern region of Thailand and also utilizes the southern Thai dialect. This style features styles from southern region folk songs and theatrical performances like Nang Talung or shadow puppetry. Southern Thai Luk Thung usually uses interests like mhong, a gong, and drums.

Luk Thung Attire

When you read Thai Country stereotypical Western country attire probably comes to mind but Luk Thung's attire is far from it. Typical Luk Thung attire is very vibrant and features hang khrueang a term referring to dancers in colorful, eye-catching outfits and larger accessories such as big flowers, feathers, and wings. Luk Thung's performances are usually very interactive with the audience and the audience shows their appreciation by giving flower garlands to the performers 

References 

Luk Thung. DBpedia. (n.d.). https://dbpedia.org/page/Luk_thung 

Luk Thung: Thailand’s Country Music. ReadWorks. (n.d.). https://www.readworks.org/article/Luk-Thung-Thailands-Country-Music/ad104da2-5728-481e-bd95-30a74d0950ce#!articleTab:content/ 

Luk Thung. Wikiwand. (n.d.). https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Luk_thung 

     Panthanuwong, P. (2023, June 8). Phleng Luk Thung: Thai Country Music. – Thailand Foundation. https://www.thailandfoundation.or.th/culture_heritage/phleng-luk-thung-thai-   country-music/