Educational Context Affecting Contemporary Thai Performing Arts in Thailand

Abstract

ABSTRACT

      The topic of the research article is “Educational Context Affecting Contemporary Thai Performing Arts in Thailand”, which is a part of the doctoral dissertation titled “The Golden age of Thai Contemporary Performing Arts” within the program Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (Thai Theater Dance), Faculty of Fine and Applied Art, Chulalongkorn University. The researcher employs the methodology of qualitative research, aiming to indicate educational contexts, which contributes to changes of contemporary Thai performing arts in Thailand and their consequent effects. Research methods include document and literature review, interview and data collecting from experts and professionals in the field related to the study, researcher’s firsthand experience, and relevant academic seminars. The study focuses on the data in the period between 1987 and 2017.

      The result shows that the contexts of Thai performing art in Thailand i.e. 1) curricular study of Thai performing arts in educational institutions in affiliation with The Fine Arts Department, 2) curricular study of Thai performing arts in educational institutions in affiliation with Rajabhat University, 3) curricular study of Thai performing arts in public and private educational institutions, 4) curricular study of Thai performing arts in a postgraduate level, 5) study of Thai performing arts in private, business-oriented institutions, 6) recreation of Thai performing arts in educational institutions, and 7) recreation of Thai performing arts art in context of academic competition have played an important role changing contemporary Thai performing arts in Thailand. The contexts have contributed effects both directly and indirectly. In lights of the

former, it makes way for an increase in the number of dance performers and open-mindedness in recreating contemporary Thai performing arts performances. More approaches in teaching Thai performing arts leads to diversity in forms of contemporary Thai performing arts, which reflects local integrations and interpretations. Besides, it provokes researches on Thai performing arts based on theoretical perspectives.