The lived experience of blind street musicians in Thailand PDF
Preview The lived experience of blind street musicians in Thailand
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 wi th 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 greatly appreciate all the staff at the Office of Educational Affairs, the Royal Thai Embassy, for scholarship arrangement, counselling and care throughout my study in Australia, and very much thank you to Ubonratchathani University for study leave granted. During my PhD I must say that I have been privileged to have two of the world’s best supervisors, Professor Karen Fisher and Professor Ilan Katz, who have devoted yourselves much farther beyond duty. Through high-quality supervision you both have facilitated my intellectual and leadership development in the field, improved my critical thinking and learning process, and enabled me to overcome academic and personal challenges. I do impressively appreciate your patience, open- mindedness, maturity, friendship and kind generosity you have conveyed to me during my study. Your great commitment and contribution including your personal temperament will line in the bottom of my heart with my utmost worship at all time, and I do realise that you have been the greatest part of my PhD accomplishment. In addition, I would like to acknowledge all of my visually impaired friends who have actively and constructively participated in the fieldwork, despite several challenges that occurred. You have let me learn a lot from your thoughts, ideas and experiences that have rewarded my PhD. I do hope my PhD thesis, which we all contributed to, will benefit the development of employment promotion and social protection systems for people with disabilities in Thailand, especially those who work as street musicians. I also would like to acknowledge all respected disabled activists who shared your solid knowledge, opinions, first-hand experience, powerful comments and recommendations for my thesis. Moreover, thank you very much to all of my Thai friends, such as Bua Niphaphun, Nick Chanick, Pat Pattarasuda, Joop Jutamanee, Ploy Siriwimon and others, for your kind generosity and assistance since my first arrival to Sydney. You have encouraged me to survive in the new environment. I am greatly appreciative to all staff, students and friends at Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), such as David Cami for your welfare arrangements, Lisa McElhinney for your administrative assistance and advice, Ann Whitelaw for your general support, Dr. Jan Idle for your always care for my health and wellbeing, Dr. Alec Sewell and Dr. Jie Wang for your friendship and kind generosity and Dr. Ariella Meltzer for your thesis writing guidance. I also would like to pass on my big thanks to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at UNSW for your provision of research and conference funds. As so much unforgettable I do specially appreciate Dr. Charlotte Smedley for always keeping your eyes on my welfare while in Sydney. Whenever I have confronted difficulties, you help sort out all the problems wisely, quickly and effectively. I must name Dr. Richard NG, a general practitioner at UNSW Health Service Centre, for helping me maintain good health physically and mentally, in order to be able to work on my thesis regularly. I am also indebted to UNSW Residential Community for your accommodation arrangements and discount rates granted throughout my study, to UNSW Foundation for your temporary financial assistance, to UNSW Student Equity and Disability Unit (SEDU) for your transcription and learning services including orientation and mobility training, and to UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre for taking care of me during exercising and offering me free membership. I would like to express my sincere thanks to my review panel members, A/Professor kylie valentine, Dr. Trish Hill, Dr. Fiona Hilferty and A/Prof Bruce Bradbury for your positive comments and feedback on my thesis. I do also accredit Prof Sue Starfield, Dr. Jamie Roberts and Dr. Leann Dowse for research training and development, especially Dr. Jamie Roberts for helpful comments and recommendations on drafts of my thesis. I am so grateful to Katherine Cummings for excellent proofreading and editing with friendly fees. I would like to thank my mother and those who have always encouraged me during my PhD journey, including my close relatives, friends and colleagues at the Faculty of Political Science, Ubonratchathani University, for your helpful recommendations and morale support. I also would like to grant my gratefulness to my former university professors, A/Prof Wiwatchai Atthakor, Prof Sombat Thamrongthanyawong and Prof Mark Priestley, who kindly wrote a recommendation letter in support of my PhD application at UNSW. As well I need to pass on my great appreciation to my former teachers at Bangkok School for the Blind, to those at Korat Pitayakhom School and those at Rajasima Witayalai School, including to my former lecturers and professors at Chulalongkorn University, to those at the University of Leeds and to those at National Institute of Development Administration for previous education and training, as well as your always kind recommendations. Finally I wish to pass on the best of my gratitude and appreciation to four of my late tributes. The first is my beloved father, Mr. Boonsong Kerddaen, who always cared for me although he had become a Buddhist monk since my adolescence. Whenever he saw me or met with other relatives who remained in regular contact with me, he passed on his regards and morale support to me compassionately. The second is my kind and supportive auntie, Ms Panadda Kerddaen, who took care of me instead of my parents during my childhood where I was first diagnosed as having visual impairment and was confronted with family breakdown. I could survive with her warm love and care. She was the first who gave genuine attention to my school education. The third is Mr. Renn Fuller, an American English teacher at Bangkok School for the Blind, who first became my English learning inspiration, helped finance my school education and enabled me to live my life socially, materially and economically well. The last is Dr. Prayat Phunong-Ong, a visually impaired person himself and the friend of Mr. Renn Fuller, who supported me and made me realise the ultimate goal of education. As the founder of Christian Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, he brought me from my hometown to the Educational Service Centre for the Blind in Nakhon Rajasima, where I had completed secondary and high school education. Dr. Prayat also prepared me for the most competitive national university entrance examination to Chulalongkorn University. He also gave me financial support during my university education. All these persons have become the most important part of my life who have changed my life forever. I do really regret that they both cannot enjoy the genuine sense of my PhD success, but I do dedicate all this success to all of them.
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