Perspectives of Students of the Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University on the Role of Mor Lam in Politics During 2014-2022

Abstract

Study of perspectives of students of the Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University on the role of Mor Lam in politics during 2014-2022 was qualitative research and had two objectives: to examine the role of Mor Lam in politics in 2014-2022; and to investigate perspectives of students of the Faculty of Political Science, Ubon Ratchathani University on the role of Mor Lam in politics during 2014-2022. The findings showed that Mor Lam during this period of time played a role in the struggles and resistance of dictatorial government, political socialization, and advocacy for democracy. Mor Lam reflected injustices in a sociopolitical context with suffering, oppression, and inferiority of Isan people. The characteristics of Mor Lam both amused and educated people with political contents. It was also applied to election candidate campaigns in terms of election policy proposals.

Student’s views on the role of Mor Lam in politics in 2014-2022 revealed that Mor Lam had integrated music with political communication to inform people about political society in forms of criticism of government performance, dictatorship resistance, reflection on social problems including campaign for democracy.

The students were Informed about political issues and political socialization from Mor Lam  and it caused them to become more interested in political participation. However, some students expressed the opinion that Mor Lam was only one kind of media educating them about politics and it was used as a tool to communicate during the election campaign. They viewed Mor Lam as educating them about politics, but not political socialization. They did not need to participate in political activities.