This Saturday (March 27) is the luk tung superstar’s 30th birthday. I love her voice and her songs, although I haven’t a clue what Tai Orathai is saying in the songs, only that it’s the usual story of unrequited love. Although she does sing about her home village, her fans and other very related subjects.
I really like other Thai singers, too, both male and female, but I don’t even know their names. There’s just not much on the web in English about these Isaan- and Lao-speaking singers and their works. Or so I thought.
I came across a reader submission at Stickman a few days ago by “Peter.” His Thai Music, Part 2 (published March 3) was all about the singers’ relationships with their fans and the rather generous gifts of money and flowers they bestow upon their favourites right at the stage. The artists are judged by how they accept the gifts and what they do with them. Apparently many singers carefully take the gifts to the back of the stage for holding and take them home. Yes, the money goes right into the singers’ pockets but some give it away. (And why shouldn’t they keep it since most of the audience probably bought pirate CDs.) The flowers and related gifts are taken home and cherished. Some will get the giver’s name and phone number, and even call them on their birthdays, according to Peter.
Peter goes into detail on the source of Thai country music, which has its roots in Laos, which is famous for mor lam music, a similar country music. He goes through some of the older stars and their musical styles. He appears to be the author of even lengthier opuses on Lao and Thai music at Teakdoor.com, under the nickname of Crazy Dog. The wording and style are the same as the Stickman submissions, and so are the images and video links.
A rather anonymous website called Morlam-Luktung has pieces that are very readable and extremely helpful in discovering the past and present of what is probably the biggest music segment in Thailand.
As I write this I’m listening to 95 FM in Thailand, an all-luk tung station. The link is for thairadiotoolbar.com, which I wasn't able to get to work on my Mac, but the promo website for the toolbar provided audio link to different radio stations. The sound was superb and the announcers speak, to my ears, perfect central Thai. Or maybe it’s because it’s a sexy Thai girl DJ.
LINKS:
- By Thai38, subject Thai Music, focusing on the Lao source of luk tung, January 2009, at Stickman.
- By Thai38, Thai Music part 2, focusing on the singers and their fans, March 2010, at Stickman.
- Quick bio on Tai Oratai at Thai Guide to Thailand
- Of course, Facebook has Tai Orathai fan club pages.
- Many photos of Ubon Ratchthani-born Tai Orathai at her official fan club site, linked off her record label’s site, Grammy, which is where I got the photos:
- Crazy Dog’s posts at Teakdoor.com on Lao music, Thai singers and their fans and links to luk tung music.
- The website Morlam Luktung offers concise history, albums reviews and general remarks, but overall, lacks evidence the author has kept up with the music and even less so the site. And there’s no About page or even source of the material and dates of posts. However, it’s still very useful.
- Thai radio toolbar, which has 95 FM, an all-luk tung station, but did not work in my Safari browser because I didn't have a certain something or other, according to a dropdown notice after I selected 95 FM on a (attractive) toolbar button.
Camille
I guess you refer to sex pat sites where they like to talk about the seedier side of things in Thailand? I was glad to have been kicked off from a couple of those for winding up the 'mongers' on them.
I don't know Tai personally and she is quite reclusive as far as singer/fan relationships go. Some singers are far easier to get to know, I know one guy who was given a birthday party by Adjareeya and Takkedan. Last year I got flowers from two singers, this year many rang me up. Jintara-forget it, nobody is close to her except one Thai lady, and even she is not close. Mangpor is quite close and generous to fans and buys us T shirts, as well as trips out and other things I cannot mention here, but which are exceptional.
Posted by: peter | 2010.07.06 at 15:15
Hi Camille. Interesting info there, re Peter. Must say his interest in Thai music seems to be intense. But that's all I know.
When I get back to LOS, I'll seek out CDs of these singers new to me.
cheers
Posted by: Siam.Rick | 2010.04.19 at 00:38
Rick,
The forums that I follow, Peter has been kicked off from........so I don't know if he knows Tai Orathai. He seems to know Jintara Poonlarb reasonably well.
Posted by: Camille | 2010.04.17 at 07:33
Peter, thanks for those music tips. I'll follow them up online and in person when I return to LOS this autumn.
I felt the same way about Tai Orathai's concert performance in Korat in Jan 2009. It was pretty low watt but her dancers seemed to be pretty good, although I was quite far away from the stage.
Have to second your thoughts on the "entertaining" Teakdoor. Not only that, I often find the threads very helpful and informative, unlike a certain other large expat forum, which is rife with putdowns and abominable English.
Posted by: Siam.Rick | 2010.04.11 at 00:16
Peter here, actually I do not 'roam' Thai forums any more than most people. I have just got in from seeing Mangpor, Job and Joy and several other Nopporn stars and just don't have the time to look at any forum other than the very entertaining Teak Door.
Tai Orathai is a lovely lady and has recorded some great songs. Her weakness, and many feel the same, is her poor concert performances where she just cannot compete with her peers. Takkaden Cholodar has far more charisma on stage. I really like the singers who dance and put on a good show, Mangpor Chonticha is probably the best at this right now.
I think above it mentioned Lao as being home to Thai country music, of course that only applies to morlam, luktung is definitely Thai in origin.
Posted by: peter | 2010.04.10 at 22:54
Is there more you wish to tell us, Camille? ;-) Wonder if 'Peter' knows Khun Tai? Maybe she could send me a picture of herself? I promise to put it on the front page, and maybe she could also send me a really "special" photo of herself. I promise not to publish that one, just show it to my blogging friends who might be named Martyn and Talen, fellows who appreciate talent and art, and stuff.
Posted by: Siam.Rick | 2010.03.26 at 14:39
Tai Orathai's music and especially her voice always put me in a good mood. I often listen to it on my iPhone during a long walk or on the walk home after work. Could be it reminds me of Thailand, I dunno! Anything from LOS does after another arduous day at the office and the return of the winter cold.
Posted by: Siam.Rick | 2010.03.26 at 13:23
This 'Peter' is a complete Looktung/Morlam nut or expert, whatever way you look at it. He's been following the in and outs of these genres for ages and knows a lot of the super stars.
He roams pretty much every Thai chat forum, providing he hasn't been kicked off yet ;-)
Posted by: Camille | 2010.03.26 at 13:11
Rick, As Martyn and you I also like Tai Orathai. Very beautiful lady and voice.
I don't know what it is but I really enjoy Thai pop music and Issan music immensely. It's always on in the background and keeps me tapping my toes all day long.
Posted by: Talen | 2010.03.26 at 09:50
Rick I have in the past considered doing a post about Tai Orathai. The lovely looking lass is a big big star in Thailand and also a well searched one on the internet. I think this post is going to get a lot of hits.
Luk tung is big news in Isaan and I've heard a lot of the music myself during my time spent there. Every village male seems to love it and the ladies like to sing along too. It is definitely one of the better types of Thai music and once again what a lovely looking woman.
Posted by: Martyn | 2010.03.25 at 04:22