Avarach Cholvasin. Saw sam sai : a study on its contruction and its survival in contemporary Thai society . Master's Degree(Cultural Studies). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2003.
Saw sam sai : a study on its contruction and its survival in contemporary Thai society
Abstract:
This qualitative research is conducted with cultural anthropological research
methods. The two purposes of the research are to study the construction of Saw Sam
Sai and to study factors sustaining survival of Saw Sam Sai in contemporary Thai
society. Herewith, the researcher employs the concepts of ‘myth’, ‘national identity’
and ‘social class’ as the theoretical basis of the analysis in the research.
Concerning the construction of Saw Sam Sai, the researcher carries out a case
study on the construction of Mr. Theerapan Thamanukul who is a famous Saw Sam Sai
craftsman and has gained good reputation on his works in Thai music circles. The case
study reveals that Mr. Theerapan’s contruction is not influenced by the ‘myth’ of Saw
Sam Sai. He has always improved his construction to create Saw Sam Sai with quality
sound and beautiful figures. His construction is derived from his observation,
memorization, trial and error, and scientific thinking. However, there are some factors
influencing his construction: shortage of materials, modern technology, customers’
requests and competition in the Thai musical instrument market.
The study of factors sustaining survival of Saw Sam Sai in contemporary Thai
society shows that there are two major factors which sustain its survival and help
contribute its prosperous trend towards the future. The two factors are the
governmental support of Thai music as a representation of ‘national identity’ and the
use of Saw Sam Sai as a tool in negotiating social status in public space by the middle
class.
The support of Thai music from the government brings about various ways in
which Thai music can contribute, such as Thai music through modern education, Thai
music contests and performances, and other forms of support sponsored by both the
government and private sectors. This support can help the survival of Thai music and
consequently the survival of Saw Sam Sai in contemporary Thai society. In addition,
being a result of the ‘myth’, the use of Saw Sam Sai by the middle class as their tool in
negotiating social status in public space causes a shift from being a musical instrument
serving the royalty and aristocracy in the past to a musical instrument serving the
middle class at present.