Sounds from the Thai Country

Mor Lam and Luuk Thung are the main types of music coming from the Thai countryside. Appealing to mainly the rural rice farming class from the northeast, these songs reflect on the working class struggle, lost love and the need to party. Filled with reed mouth organs, cowbell, wry humor and broken hearts, the following videos are an overview of the many styles and artists, and RA RA’s personal favorites.




Artist: Payfai Malaiporn
Song: Man Tong Thon

Payfai Malaiporn is a famous singer/comedian that performs with the famous travelling song and dance troupe Siang Issan. This song was huge last year, so popular it crossed from the country into the hi-society Bangkok consciousness, probably because everyone can relate to its message: when you’re hung over, just drink some more!




Artist: Siang Issan Luam Dow Talok
Song: Kadep Heavy (Skinny Pants)

This is another video coming from the Siang Issan travelling performance troupe. It’s about low society “lo-so” boys from the country that wear skinny pant jeans and roll around with only the desire to party.




Artist: Rock Salaeng
Song: Motosai Hang (Old Motorcycle)

Rock Salaeng is one of the bands that developed mor lam sing, a more rock-based style that developed from the more traditional country sound. This song is about a guy that looses his girl to a guy with a pickup truck.




Artist: Tai Orratha
Song: Esarn Lum Plern (Issan Dance)

Tai Orratha performs many different styles of music and this song is from her recent mor lam album, revisiting the more traditional sound. Amazing video that was filmed in Ubon Ratchatani province.



Artist: Rock Saderd
Song: Boo Rak See Dum (Black Ribbon for Love)

Another one of the main mor lam sing bands, Rock Saderd is famous for bringing their rock ethos to the mor lam sound. A tragic song of unrequited love.



Artist: Sala
Song: Chalawan (name of a thai mythology character)

This video is amazing because it is about an old dude that channels the power of the crocodile to harass girls.



Artist: Phai Pongsathorn
Song: Suu Der Pi Nong (Keep Fighting Brothers and Sisters)

Phai Pongsathorn is both the prince of luuk thung and the luuk thung Everyman. He’s considered extremely handsome and charmingly innocent, singing about his longing heart and love of the Thai countryside. This song is his message to the working class people to stay strong in the face of adversity.




Artist: Osayn and A Sunya
Song: Num Dtah Buk Dtee (the tears of a short man)

This video features two midgets that lament their existence as short men because they have no luck with women.



Artist: Siriporn Umpaipong
Song: Songkran Sanya Jai

One of the queens of mor lam, Siriporn’s smoky voice is recognized all throughout Thailand. She’s a highly prolific artist that has released numerous albums. This song is about a girl that waits for her love to come back to her during the Thai new year celebrations. Video depicts a pretty typical country dance party.



Artist: Baa Getsaya
Song: Nokia No Gik (Nokia has no girlfriends)

This song is one of the more pop-dance renditions, but still holds the distinctive Thai country beat. I hope one day I have a music video as cool as this.