Asian Social Science; Vol. 9, No. 10; 2013 ISSN 1911-2017 E-ISSN 1911-2025 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education Piphat Mon in the Korat Way of Life: Creating Performing Arts Standards to Promote the Thai Music Profession Samutcha Jeeranai1, Sittisak Jampadaeng1 & Somkit Suk-Erb1 1 The Faculty of Cultural Science, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham, Thailand Correspondence: Samutcha Jeeranai, Ban Bing School, Moo 8, Chokchai Sub-district, Chokchai District, Nakhon Ratchasima 30190, Thailand. E-mail:
[email protected] Received: April 29, 2013 Accepted: May 29, 2013 Online Published: August 1, 2013 doi:10.5539/ass.v9n10p198 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v9n10p198 Abstract Piphat Mon is the traditional form of music of Burmese Mon people. Following Mon immigration into Thailand, the art form was adopted and adapted by Thais as a medium for entertainment and worship. In the current climate of globalization and the influence of western trends, representation of Piphat Mon has been reduced to funeral ceremonies in a small collection of Thai provinces. This research examines the historical background and current conditions of Piphat Mon in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, its primary location in Northeast Thailand, with the aim of creating a set of performing arts standards. The results of this research show that Piphat Mon has changed in light of social and cultural changes to Thailand since 1998. Nowadays there are a number of problems with artistic performances of Piphat Mon in Korat, particularly concerning the attitudes of the performers, the sound, the equipment and the location.