How sustainable is traditional folk rod puppetry in Thailand?

Abstract

While various approaches to preserve rod puppets in Thailand have been implemented, research conducted after 2010 has found that the status of traditional folk puppetry is still vulnerable. This research aims to analyze the relationship between existing preservation approaches and the current state of traditional rod puppetry, as well as to propose further approaches to sustaining vulnerable traditional rod puppet performances. The research revealed that the three existing preservation approaches—1) teaching and learning puppet performance in academic institutions, 2) rod puppetry being recorded as Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), and 3) holding puppet events in provinces catering to tourists—have shown little benefit in sustaining traditional folk rod puppet troupes. Accordingly, further preservation approaches are needed, as proposed from this research: 1) support the recording of traditional folk rod puppets as ICH; 2) use technology to record, disseminate and make learning traditional puppetry more accessible; 3) the extension of supporters to include local communities, including expansion of learning puppetry to public spaces; and 4) adding new puppetry stakeholders, including audiences, so that they understand the character and nature of traditional puppet performances. The expected results from implementing these approaches would be to increase the number of heirs needed to carry on the tradition, along with providing additional income, both of which are factors that can lead to the sustainability of traditional folk rod puppetry.