In the age of consumerism, the mainstream media have been increasingly playing an influential role in the lifestyle of Thai people, so much so that the importance of folk media as life foundation binding local people, and as means of passing on local intelligence from generation to generation are slowly fading away. This is so as young people are drawn to materialism, so much so that they forget their own cultural heritage.

According to the mainstream media, Mr. Songkran Parkchokdee, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Program for Sponsorships and Funds for Art, Cultural Media and Creative Activities, Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) realized that the folk media are disappearing and merged with the mainstream media. Prevention of this happening starts with making local people, especially ‘youth’ understand and appreciate folk media.

This is how the 2nd year project to propel folk media network for youth well-being, “Folk Media for Well-being,” originated. Run by the Research Institute for Asian Languages and Cultures, Mahidol University, together with ThaiHealth, the folk media project provides free space to support local media in the important role in inculcating young people with good value of communal learning, in order to pass on local intelligence as heritage from generation to generation.

“Folk media are harmless and are developed creatively, comparing to mainstream media. Despite each region’s unique cultural patterns which audiences may not understand even when presented in local dialect, but, they can still absorb and be impressed by the beauty of local art. For example, ‘Berng-koke-sloong,’ a Thai local song of Lopburi province has charming lyrics, and interactive singing rhythm,” explained Danai Wangboonchoo

The manager of the Program for Sponsorships and Funds for Art, Cultural Media and Creative Activities, Mr. Danai Wangboonchoo said that during the previous year, over 60 projects of folk media were submitted and 28 projects were chosen and promoted. They were categorized as recital, performance, material and ritual for networking with folk media from all regions as prototypes for future art and cultural learning.

Evidently, the northern projects with various ethnic groups joining the programs have promoted understanding and publicity, resulting in popular appreciation and acceptance of cultural differences. The northeastern projects have used similar folk media as tools to campaign environmental problems in the community. Stories were told through media to create awareness of nature conservation in the community.

“This year, projects for submission must be non-profit-making and receive no support from suppliers of liquors or products harmful to health. Essentially, these products must emphasize practical methods for youth physical, mental and spiritual developments, together with building community relationship. Folk media are instruments to convey stories, ideas, emphasizing youth participation, mainly for transmitting knowledge from generation to generation. Importantly, there will be young people, who have taken part in the first year project for local networking for youth well-being, “Folk Media for Well-being,” acting as mentors for the period of eight months, between February and September 2010” said Mr. Danai Wangboonchoo.

Asst. Prof. Duangporn Kamnoonwat as head of project to propel folk media network for youth well-being, Research Institute for Asian Languages and Cultures, Mahidol University, said that throughout the operation period with ThaiHealth, the ways to drive networks for ‘Folk Media for Well-being’ forward will be in the form of academic information support. In addition, local information collection and survey will be preceded by on-the job training including information exchange between groups of participants. Organizations in the community will also take part in youth well-being project.

Mr. Jamlong Buasuwan, one of the representatives of adherent network of folk media for youth well-being, and head of Project of Lookwa Carrying on Petchaburi Handicraft, Benjama-thep-u-tid School, Petchaburi, said that participation in the project to propel folk media networking enabled youths to take part in learning activities of local art and cultural media from local sages. Young people had a chance to practice what they learned for sustainable development. Likewise, youths of the Lookwa Group have been taught by Petchaburi craftsmen, for example, how to make “puang-ma-hod” (kind of garland) and paper pattern nailing. These activities inspired the youths of Lookwa Group to further their activities by showing tourists how to work with paper pattern nailing every Saturday at the trolley car station in Kao Wang, Petchaburi province. The program also provided these young people with income while they were both studying and passing on knowledge to others.

This is another interesting project to preserve Thai uniqueness by transmitting it to generations to come for as long as possible. Those who are interested to join “Folk Media for Well-being” activities can do so by merely surfing for information at www.thaihealth.or.th or calling Khun Warichat Duangjinda at 02-298-0500 ext. 1212.

Folk media are being replaced by mainstream media. If we, Thai people, remain apathetic or indifferent, and do not help preserve folk media; the term ‘Folk Media’ may disappear and may become unknown to future generation.