A Study of Lao Ethnic Music Conservation and Strategies to Promote Cultural Tourism Using Lao Ethnic Music in Phetchaburi Province

Abstract

The purposes of this research are 1) to gather knowledge of Lao ethnic music in Phetchaburi province and 2) to find out strategies to promote cultural tourism by using Lao ethnic music in Phetchaburi Province. This research is a qualitative research design. This research uses the in-depth interview with four key informants and the group discussion from nine experts who work related to tourism and culture, community leaders and musicians. The data analysis and descriptive analysis are used in this research. The study indicates that the preservation and inheritance of music culture of the Thai Songdam people in Khaoyoi District, Phetchaburi Province is transferred by the local musical experts. They are usually elders in the community who transfer knowledge and experience to their children or people in the community who really want to study and preserve this kind of culture. Thai Songdam songs are also integrated with the learning activities in the schools. In addition, the songs and music are also written in the form of universal note for recording and collection. When the music of the Lao ethnic group is inherited by Thai Songdam people, Thai government has adopted Lao ethnic group as a component in promoting tourism in the community with the creation of learning resources for ethnic music. In addition, the Lao ethnic music is used as a proactive tourism promotion to draw attention from the tourists. Finally, there is a joint action between the local agencies and people in the community.