Ballroom Dance Music in Thai society

Abstract

AbstractThis historical qualitative research on music aimed to study the history and development of Westernballroom dance music in Thailand in order to find the relationship between the music and Thai societyand culture. The research revealed that ballroom dance music was a Western entertainment culture introducedto Thailand during the reign of King Rama III. According to the memo written in 1840 by aEuropean named Frederick Arthur Neale, there was a dinner party in Wang Na (the palace of the viceking)which European ballroom dance was included. Because of trading and diplomatic progression,Thailand and Western countries did develop their relationship. There were journeys between the twoterritories, brass bands created by foreign soldiers, and the invention of ballroom dance musical ensembleduring the reign of King Rama V. Up to the reign of King Rama VII, many Thai students pursuedtheir education in foreign countries of both Europe and America, which made them experienced more ofWestern music performances. Among these students was Luang Sukhumnaipradit who became the veryimportant person of ballroom dance music in Jazz style. These factors made great progression in ballroomdance music and resulted in the invention of big bands. There were many skillful musicians andsong writers such as Uea Sunthonsanan, Luan Khwantham and Kaew Achariyakul who became famousduring this period of time. Moreover, nightclubs and sound recording businesses were the importantstimulants to the popularity of ballroom dance music. There was also a Thai-style ballroom dance rhythmnamed Taloong Tempo. However, the development in technologies changed the taste of popular musicand decreased the importance of ballroom dance music. The ballroom dance music, nevertheless, is stillburied itself inside Thailand’s entertainment culture and moves together unceasingly with the culturalwaves.Key words: ballroom dance music, Thailand, history