Abstract:
The objective of this research was to study the biography of Professor
Poonpit Amatayakul, M.D. and his works in Thai music and society. The findings
revealed that his contributions provided valuable knowledge in the field of Thai music
a vital part of the nations art and culture - to students and the public. It has also
played a vital role in the development of Thai music education and society in general.
In this research, cultural and anthropological methods were employed, namely a
literature review, interviews (with Professor Poonpit Amatayakul, M.D. and other
related people), and data analyses. Then the results were presented by means of
narratives, tables, diagrams and photos.
In terms of biographical data, both of his parents were from the same large,
revered and noble family which had a surname of Amatayakul. Most people from this
family were either royalty, noblemen or musicians. His parents were raised and lived
their lives as part of the upper middle-class. Due mainly to his birth within the
Amatayakul family and his childhood familiarity with H.R.H. Princess Hemvadee, he
was educated and acquired knowledge in an environment full of royal folkways and
traditions. This led to his better understanding of the social contexts of Thai traditional
music, both past and present.
As for his works in Thai traditional music, he has passed on his valuable
knowledge through various means, such as printed media, radio programs and
television programs, to people at all levels in society. Such tacit and explicit
knowledge, gained through direct experience and taught by past masters, has resulted
in the strict preservation of this nationally important art form.
Therefore, this research reflects the characteristics of a person whose birth,
education, influential life, and creative contribution of works in Thai traditional music
have helped raise public awareness of the value of Thai traditional music a apart of
Thai national heritage worthy of preservation.