The lived experience of blind street musicians in Thailand Quanchai Kerddaen A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Social Policy Research Centre Arts and Social Sciences UNSW Australia May 2018 THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES Thesis/Dissertation Sheet Surname or Family name: Kerddaen First name: Quanchai Other name/s: Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD School: Social Policy Research Centre Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences Title: The lived experience of blind street musicians in Thailand Abstract 350 words maximum: Although many visually impaired people in Thailand have long time undertaken street music for their everyday livelihood, little is known about them. They tend to have experienced unprecedented economic and social exclusion across their lives. Through an examination of the lived experience of blind street musicians in Thailand, this thesis explores the social, cultural, economic and political influences specific to disability in contemporary Thai society that affect their lives, and indicates possible policy directions that could assist them. Applying a social constructionist and socio-economic approach, this qualitative study involves semi-structured and unstructured interviews (nineteen men and thirteen women) and three group discussions (six to ten per group) with blind street musicians, and interviews with eleven disabled activists. Most of the blind street musicians had migrated from rural regions, and shared considerable socio-economic similarities, notably living with poverty and inadequate social protection. Their life trajectories were limited by the structural constraints derived from societal negative views of disability, based on Buddhist beliefs and Thai customs. This created a cumulative impact of disablement over their life course: family neglect, poor access to education and skill training, limited employment opportunities and brittle social support networks. Ultimately, performing street music proved to be their best income choice. These street musicians can be separated into two groups. First, most in the older age group with lower levels of education chose to be street musicians due to economic necessities and employment restrictions. Second, those in the younger age group with a long-standing love of music chose to undertake street music because they believed this might be a path to mainstream work as a street musician. Both groups, however, failed to gain stable income and suffered social stigma—being perceived as pitied beggars, rather than genuine musicians. This caused them to struggle for economic fulfilment and social acceptance. The thesis concludes that the current and prospective employment promotion and social protection systems for people with disabilities should enable visually impaired people to achieve income security, a better quality of life, increase their income choices and recognise their human rights and dignity, despite their work as street musicians. Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). …………………………………………………………… ……………………………………..……………… ……….………………… Signature Witness Date The University recognises that there may be exceptional circumstances requiring restrictions on copying or conditions on use. Requests for restriction for a period of up to 2 years must be made in writing. Requests for a longer period of restriction may be considered in exceptional circumstances and require the approval of the Dean of Graduate Research. FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Date of completion of requirements for Award: ORIGINALITY STATEMENT I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and to the best of my knowledge it contains no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged. Signed ................................................................. Date .................................................................... COPYRIGHT STATEMENT ‘I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.' Signed.............................................................................. Date.............................................................................. AUTHENTICITY STATEMENT ‘I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.’ Signed.............................................................................. Date.............................................................................. Abstract Although many visually impaired people in Thailand have long time undertaken street music for their everyday livelihood, little is known about them. They tend to have experienced unprecedented economic and social exclusion across their lives. Through an examination of the lived experience of blind street musicians in Thailand, this thesis explores the social, cultural, economic and political influences specific to disability in contemporary Thai society that affect their lives, and indicates possible policy directions that could assist them. Applying a social constructionist and socio-economic approach, this qualitative study involves semi-structured and unstructured interviews (nineteen men and thirteen women) and three group discussions (six to ten per group) with blind street musicians, and interviews with eleven disabled activists. Most of the blind street musicians had migrated from rural regions, and shared considerable socio- economic similarities, notably living with poverty and inadequate social protection. Their life trajectories were limited by the structural constraints derived from societal negative views of disability, based on Buddhist beliefs and Thai customs. This created a cumulative impact of disablement over their life course: family neglect, poor access to education and skill training, limited employment opportunities and brittle social support networks. Ultimately, performing street music proved to be their best income choice. These street musicians can be separated into two groups. First, most in the older age group with lower levels of education chose to be street musicians due to economic necessities and employment restrictions. Second, those in the younger age group with a long-standing love of music chose to undertake street music because they believed this might be a path to mainstream work as a street musician. Both groups, however, failed to gain stable income and suffered social stigma—being perceived as pitied beggars, rather than genuine musicians. This caused them to struggle for economic fulfilment and social acceptance. The thesis concludes that the current and prospective employment promotion and social protection systems for people with disabilities should enable visually impaired people to achieve income security, a better quality of life, increase their income choices and recognise their human rights and dignity, despite their work as street musicians. Acknowledgements I would like to take this wonderful opportunity to extend my best gratitude to all who have made my PhD possible. First and foremost I wish to give my greatest appreciation to the Office of Higher Education Commission (OHEC) who has awarded me full scholarship to pursue a PhD in Social Policy at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Without this generous scholarship I would have been unable to make my dream of PhD come true. I also