Political discourses in Thai Rap songs during the years 2014 - 2020

Abstract

In this paper, the researcher has three objectives, i.e.: (1) to study the contexts of politics, economy, and Thai society during the years 2014 - 2020 affecting artists’ ideas in producing Thai Rap songs; (2) to investigate the discourses in Thai Rap Songs during the period under study; and (3) to examine the contents or lyrics of the Thai Rap songs of Thai Rap artists who wanted to communicate political, economic, and social issues during the years under investigation. The method of qualitative research was conducted with the technique of documentary research. The study focused on the lyrics of twenty-seven Rap songs. The technique of in-depth interview was employed with ten key informants who were Thai Rap artists using the method of purposive sampling.

Findings showed that the contexts of politics, economy, and Thai society during the years 2014 and 2020 consisting of conflicts, social division, economic downturn, and demonstrations by young persons affected the ideas of artists in producing Thai Rap songs. In regard to discourses, artists presented Thai Rap songs through online media. Mini concerts were organized at entertainment venues and demonstration areas. Concerning the song contents, artists presented discourses on political, economic, and social issues. These were the entry of power of the government by coup d'etat, a blame on the justice process, problems of corruption, inequality in society, and others. This is to inform the problems that are happening in society and to propose a call for the government to solve the problems.