The Development of Country Music Band Costumes to Create Cultural Identity in Southern Thailand

Abstract

This was a qualitative investigation to investigate the history of country music bands in Southern Thailand. Eight school country music bands were purposively selected for the case study and data were collected by document study, observation, interview, focus group discussion and workshop. It was found that Southern country music evolved from folk songs and folk performances but modern Southern country music costumes are exaggerated, inappropriate and overtly sexual. They do not represent Southern Thai identity. Costumes were developed by the researchers in response to respondent comments and suggestions in three different sections (head accessories, body accessories and clothing), emphasizing the use of local materials. The important ideas of the designs were to highlight beauty, flexibility, reduce expenditure and increase community income from production. The costumes designed to meet those specifications were for both male and female musicians, singers and female dancers, for both slow and fast songs. The designs of all costumes were based on country music band costume styles, used local fabrics, included accessories created with local materials and incorporated local culture. It is hoped that these developments may be adopted by Southern Thai Look Tung bands and contribute to the reinforcement of local Southern Thai culture.