A progress study entitled "Innovation of Creative Music Process for Community Development Fade 2: Case Study Three Southern Border Provinces" was supported by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) 2024-5.

The beliefs of any place are shaped by its culture, way of life, and means of living, making each location's beliefs unique and significant. The researcher visited a multicultural site at the southern borders of Thailand, specifically in Yala, Narathiwas, and Pattani provinces, focusing on the value of understanding and awareness of the site, which is overshadowed by the ongoing conflict in southern Thailand. This field study aims to explore and draw inspiration from folk music culture to source materials for creative activity design in preparation for a creative music camp as the following study stage in October 2024. The camp will focus on auditioning resident students to allow them to participate in the workshop based on their culture, encourage their musical expression, and promote a better understanding of peace in this area.

 

Three troupes were interviewed regarding the aesthetic of folk music and culture and its broader influence on society: Nang Teng Talung Bantueng (หนังเต็งตลุงบันเทิง), a Melayu shadow play at Yala; Silat Asman Sejatee (คณะซีละซายาตีอัสมัน), traditionally practised at Narathiwas; and Anok Bulan Ensemble (วงดนตรีอาเนาะบุหลัน), a young musician group of Ronggeng, a Melayu southern traditional music at Pattani. The result revealed that music serves several functions. First, music brings communities together and enhances their way of life. It creates a sense of unity and shared experience, fostering a more robust cultural identity. Second, despite challenges, artists and musicians continue to promote the arts and culture, ultimately leading to better understanding. Third, musical materials from the site, such as melodic lines, rhythm, and historical background, can be used to create an activity that encourages the young participants for the next stage of the research project, and 4) music serves as a powerful tool for transmitting knowledge from one generation to the next.