Unlike street performers in many other countries who perform in public places in exchange for money, in Thailand, buskers are usually considered to be beggars.
But with the government's recent approval of a law change in Thailand's 1941 Beggar Control Act, which now only imposes curbs on begging, buskers will finally be legitimised.
The new draft, which will be forwarded to the National legislative Assembly for consideration, will ban those who beg for money in public places. Buskers, on the other hand, will be required to seek approval from local authorities. Those who perform without permission will be penalised. The new law aims to put an end to street begging, which often involves human trafficking and forced begging.
Is this new regulation a good solution for buskers? Life follows four buskers as they perform and discusses the merits of this proposed law.
Worapong Thongdee
Visually impaired singer
Worapong Thongdee says most of the visually impaired retire at 35. But Worapong did not follow suit. The 45-year-old grabbed a microphone and started singing as a means to put food on the table.
He always carries a portable loudspeaker with a microphone, along with his white cane, around Bangkok. His secret is that he won't go to the same place often. He returns to the same location a week or so after his first visit so that people won't get bored of his voice.
"During my second time performing in a certain place, I am able to figure out what kind of music my audience likes. That way, I might earn more money," says Worapong, who can sing music of various genres — from Thai folk to string.
"Some listeners challenge me to sing a specific song. If I can do it, they give me 100 baht or more." Worapong says this is also a good incentive which keeps him practising and updating his personal music library.
"Others might consider me a beggar, but at least I've tried to provide entertainment in exchange for money," says Worapong.
Worapong is also the head of the Busker for the Life of the Blind group, which aims at providing activities, and to share and solve problems that members of the group are dealing with. According to Worapong, the authorities are a typical obstacle for blind buskers.
"Unlike buskers with vision or beggars who can run away once a law enforcement officer is spotted, when it comes to the blind, the situation is different," says Worapong.
Though the new law would probably permit buskers to apply for a licence, which is likely to make their lives easier, Worapong is worried about the details of acquiring the license, as it hasn't yet been revealed.
"There's still no certainty with regard to the registration process, the licence validity as well as location and time we buskers are allowed to perform. My question is if, for example I want to perform in various places, does it mean I have to register repeatedly?"
Theerapat Aramwongtrakul
Thai xylophone performer
Whenever Theerapat Aramwongtrakul has free time, he carries his favourite musical instrument, a Thai xylophone, or ranad ek, to one of Bangkok's most crowded areas — Siam Square.
He performs traditional Thai songs like Lao Duang Deun and Kang Kao Gin Gluay, and also a few Thai string songs.
The 19-year-old ranad player recalls his first time performing on the street — he was with a group that was raising money for his high school sports day. Later, he decided to continue performing individually to earn money for his tuition, which would help his parents with the financial burden.
"It's not easy performing in front of hundreds of strangers. Sometimes I hit the wrong note but the show must go on and I'm getting used to it," says Theerapat.
"Performing ranad in an open area is different. I need to use hard mallets, which create a sharp and clear sound instead of soft ones. Otherwise people won't hear it. I need to keep practicing to perfect my skill."
Municipal police approached Theerapat once during his performance but after he clarified his purpose, he was allowed to continue performing.
"Buskers can't just keep performing but need to be concerned about the surrounding environment, especially people nearby," explains Theerapat.
The ranad performer chooses the location between two BTS stairs — in front of Bangkok Bank, Siam Square — given there are many passers-by. He adds that if there are kids paying attention, he sometimes switches to popular and current songs. Theerapat has no plan to stop busking anytime soon.
"Performing ranad is a creative way to express myself," says Theerapat. "If buskers have to be registered, then I'll go for it if that means I can still perform. I have no problem at all."
Anong Inla
Visually impaired lute performer
Anong Inla has a sign which reads "Lung Chuay The Busker" on a metal donation box in front of him. He says buskers are people who are independent as they are their own bosses.
"I don't bother anyone, I spend only from what I earn which comes from my lute performances to impress my fans and make myself proud," says the 50-year-old performer. By "fans" he means passers-by who show appreciation by dropping money into his box and stop to listen.
The lute is the first and only musical instrument he has played for a living. Anong started playing when he was 15, and began his career in a band that regularly went on tour in the Northeast.
"Isan music is so touching. The sound of it is very unique. It's quite rare to listen to a live lute performance in Bangkok, but whoever wants to listen, I'm always here," Anong says, smiling. Usually near CentralPlaza Lardprao, Anong says most of his song lists are in the Isan style.
After many tours in Isan, Anong moved to Bangkok. He was busking in a group when he first arrived and later chose to perform alone, to earn more money.
Busking is a well-paid activity, Anong says. Sometimes buskers make more money than a musician in a band. But buskers face the risk of being arrested by police. However, in February, in the period of transition of the new Begging Control Act, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security issued cards to temporarily allow blind buskers to play music in public areas. This makes Anong more comfortable during his performance.
And whenever the new law is put into place, Anong says he would get permission legally so that he can continue playing the lute for his fans without problems.
Chalorsak Tungsunan
Violinist
Chalorsak Tungsunan has performed as a living statue at BTS Siam for seven years. With no holiday, under the Sun and Moon, Chalorsak always appears at his spot from afternoon until 10pm.
The 79-year-old violinist brings his music instrument with a speaker to his outdoor workplace. Songs from the Thai classic band Suntaraporn are played over and over again.
His passion for the violin is strong enough for him to spend the rest of his life as a busker. Though Chalorsak is unable to read musical scores, Suntaraporn is part of his DNA as he started playing it when he was 13.
"Please don't say I'm a beggar. I'm a musician. I've never asked or force anyone to give me money," he says.
Chalorsak agrees with the new Beggar Control Act, which seems to have the potential to solve beggar-related problems while regulating busking.
"I have no problem with registration. If it's the right thing to do then I'll go for it," says Chalorsak.
The idea of being a busker arose when Chalorsak was helping his wife sell miang kham (Thai-style leaf-wrapped bite-size appetiser) in Siam Square. He spotted a young busker playing a violin so he asked if he could try. That day, their income almost reached 10,000 baht. He then realised what he really wanted to do. But it's not the money but passion that glues him to busking.
"This is all about happiness. I play by heart and I'm working like I'm the boss of myself," concludes Chalorsak. "I will keep coming until my body stops functioning."
