iieiiei1eWrkers - Leicester Research Archive - University of Leicester

It is in this final slot, where the sensual explosion and the images of youth
and modernity are highlighted, that the extent of contested ground is once again
narrowed. The travelogue, designed by Kalayani and her assistants from the
university, presents a hybrid of middle-class and lower-class styles of leisure.
Kao Yai National Park in Nakorn Rachasima for example, is a middle-class
environmental sanctuary. In addition, the script is more concerned with
'information' than with the 'pleasure' of fun and music. There are long
passages on how to get to the park followed by its history and natural
environment. The journey is interspersed with music from the 'promoted
tracks'. Despite the effort to integrate useful information with entertainment, the
tensions in the form create a disharmony of discourse.
The creation of the 'Hit Chart' is carefully designed to coincide with the
'promoted tracks'. Each week the audience is invited to vote for their favourite
songs. The mood of excitement in this sensual climax is however reduced, since
there is little doubt which songs are entering the chart. In the words of the
DJ, -
"..,ihe result is usually predictable. I can tell by the requests that
come in during the week., the non-promotional tracks rarely enter the
list.. .in my view, lizosi of the promoted tracks are good music
anyway... . the top three are generally the Luktoong music. . but the
Lukkroong and the mixed types are gradually recognised by our
audience. "
Whilst the Saturday programme emphasises courtship and a 'youthful' image to
attract the largest audience, the Sunday programme presents marriage and family
as its main themes. In the opening and final sections of the programme
professionalism prevails. The DJs provide useful tips on home-making for
housewives. The Survival Kit section is largely concerned with procedures for
dealing with official agencies in matters of everyday life. Requests from the
audience are accommodated in the Golden Oldies slot. These are a combination
of love songs in the Luktoong and Lukkroong genres released by Azona.
As can be seen from these illustrations, the internal contradiction of the music
programme form constantly forces open any attempt to close and tighten this
arena. The DJs, challenged by the audience and compelled by corporate
policy, are enveloped in discursive struggles which must necessarily be played
out and synthesised.
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