Abstract:
The objectives of the thesis on the traditional boat song (Phleng Rua) were
1) to stud history and development style, content, and Phleng Rua tradition in the
community of Phetchburi River Basin; 2) to study roles and responsibilities of Phleng
Rua in society and culture of the communities in Phetchburi River Basin; and 3) to
study the current change and adaptation of Phleng Rua in the context of economy,
society, and culture of the community in Phetchburi river basin, Thailand. Quantitative
research was applied as a research methodology, including participant observation and
intensive interview. The data of the field study were gathered and analyzed from male
and female master singers of Phleng Rua and their chorus of 3 bands, which were
Phleng Rua of Wat Klub Band, Phleng Rua of Mae Lamyong Band, and Phleng Rua
of the Elderly Band at Banlad Hospital.
The research results showed that the impact of economic and social
development has effected a change in social context and cultural style of the
community in Phetchburi river basin. Particularly, the folk game of Phleng Rua has
changed from singing on the Phetchburi River to singing on the shore. Therefore, the
qualifications of Phleng Rua, which have recently changed, include 1) a religious
belief in the singing of Phleng Rua; 2) style of performance; 3) costume; 4) process of
learning and dissemination; 5) verse songs; 6) occasion and place of performance; 7)
performance by persons with a stong connection to singing Phleng Rua; 8) sequence
of performance; 9) music style; and 10) development and promotion of Phleng Rua.
The analysis of the role of Phleng Rua can be divided into 2 issues: 1)
direct role, consisting of performance to stress community identity, providing
entertainment, and strengthening belies; and 2) indirect role, consisting of providing a
learning and educational source, historical record, behavior and moral control,
reflection of social status, release of depression and sexual pressure, and information
dissemination. However, currently the roles of Phleng Rua are slightly changing
because the song must adapt itself in order to exist amid modernization and
globalization. Phleng Rua has changed from a Thai folk game which provided
entertainment to the community on annual festivals to a performance for conservation
and tourism promotion. In addition, its roles are in accordance with the objectives
stipulated by application to government agencies and local administrative units for
performance at events in Sub-district administrative organizations and in hospitals