Thai? Dai! The Heavier Side of the Luk Thung Underground

The typical Thai luk thung (often described as ‘country music’) shows of the 1970s were glitzy affairs with huge orchestras led by crooners, and backed by colourful chorus lines. But bubbling beneath this glam were the smaller maverick outfits, who brought rock’n’roll, and even heavy rock into the genre. One such maverick was the late Sroeng Santi, or as he liked to call himself, ‘Luk Thung Underground’, who blasts off this fascinating compilation with a heavy metal (very Black Sabbath) meets luk thung track, ‘Kuen Kuen Lueng Lueng.’ Santi contributes four tracks, including his trademark ‘Nam Pun Peng’ (Expensive Gasoline), during live performances of which he would set fire to his T-shirt.

Compilers and DJs Chris Menist and Maft Sai introduce some less well-known artists from the era, such as Rung Petchburi, Riem Daranoi and Teungjai Bunpraruksa. Daranoi’s ‘Jai Ten’ belts along with a Motown-esque backbeat, while Bunpraruksa goes all funk on ‘Ngun Pad Baht.’

Only one big star features, Plearn Promdan (who can also be heard on the recent Sound of Siam Soundway album) but his inclusion on the nationalistic ‘Ying Ting’ and the hilarious ‘Kosok Tee Det’, gives an indication that the big stars weren’t averse to trying their hand at rock. This album offers much for fans of both luk thung and early Thai rock.