Ghost Festival-Themed Gangnam Style Video Offends Loei Villagers

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Ghost Festival-themed 'Gangnam Style' video offends Loei villagers

BOONCHU SRITRAIPOP

The Nation

LOEI: -- Residents of Loei's Dan Sai district yesterday denounced a YouTube video clip produced by Dan Sai municipality showing people wearing masks from the province's famous Phi Ta Khon, or Ghost Festival, performing the popular "Gangnam Style" dance, saying it was inappropriate and would tarnish the unique traditional event.

Upset by the video clip, which was shot at Wat Phone Chai and the Phi Ta Khon Museum, the villagers told The Nation it was unacceptable for the municipality to combine the Ghost Festival with a fad, saying they would demand an explanation from officials. "Gangnam Style", a video by Korean pop star Psy, has become a YouTube sensation. It shows him performing a comic dance that has become a global fad.

One villager said the municipality should have consulted residents first instead of trampling on their feelings and tarnishing the image of the festival. "Soon, Phi Ta Khon will [be combined with] a Lady Gaga dance, and no one will say anything," he scoffed, adding that using a pop song was not the same as Phi Ta Khon dancing to Mor Lam (northeastern folk music) tunes, which were part of the tradition. He said that on a previous occasion, residents had voiced their disapproval of a beer garden set up at a temple fair, and this time they would fight against the video clip.

The YouTube clip features 10 people in Phi Ta Khon masks performing the "Gangnam Style" dance in front of various landmarks, including the Phi Ta Khon Museum, Wat Phone Chai's Sri Song Rak Pagoda replica and a large Phi Ta Khon statue on Dan Sai-Lom Sak Rd.

The district's spiritual leader, Thavorn Cheuboonmee, also known as "Kuan the guardian spirit", said he had watched the clip and felt uneasy about it. Even though the dance moves were performed in a gentle way, it was still inappropriate, he said. Thavorn said Dan Sai residents were greatly offended because the tradition had been passed from generation to generation for over 400 years. Although people had different opinions about this, he felt it was very inappropriate.

Dan Sai Mayor Santiparp Cheuboonmee said his office made the video clip to promote tourism and propagate the Dai Sai residents' tradition. "Nothing is broken; the dance moves are simple. If you think this in inappropriate, then the annual parade of Phi Ta Khon, in which they dance to Mor Lam tunes or English songs would be inappropriate, too. People are entitled to their opinions, but the municipality thinks we did the right thing," he said.

Loei Culture Office director Samrit Sumapa said using Phi Ta Khon in a "Gangnam Style" performance was acceptable if the dance was performed in a manner that wasn't so aggressive. He said the problem could have been avoided if the municipality had asked the residents before making the clip.

-- The Nation 2012-11-09

[HeavyDrinker]

Oh dear...

Oh dear, oh dear....

If this is "news" I'm going to take the dog for a walk

[redroo]

Yes I'am walking the dog too.

[rkidlad]

People are offended way too easily nowadays. I think sometimes people have to learn to ignore stuff or just laugh at it.

[HeavyDrinker]

Or take the dog for a walk.....

[LuckyLew]

Funny thing is the video will bring attention to the festival and bring in more visitors

I think people should learn to sit back relax and get the sticks out of their ARSenals

[DocN]

Thailands culture and traditions are a fragile god, that will be harmed by almost anything...except Thais behaving foolish!

[Fozfromoz]

Yes I'am walking the dog too.

I am going to grab someone else's dog ant take it for a walk!

[GentlemanJim]

Yes I'am walking the dog too.

I am going to grab someone else's dog ant take it for a walk!

When you have finished, can I borrow the dog next !

[Katipo]

While I don't think this is a big deal, it just seems so typical to see (months after the original music video was released) yet another group jumping on the gangnam style bandwagon. Boring. Some originality please?

[ArtVandalay84]

The Macarena > Gangnam Style.

[Songhua]

'Soon the festival will be combined with a Lady GaGa dance and noone will say anything'.

So, when the offenders arrive in eggs and start jiving around in meat suits they'll just be ignored by the more traditional folk?

[bigbamboo]

You'd think people would be more worried about the antics of that other podgy faced Korean.

[TheWalkingMan]

Man, some people have skin as thick as an eggshell.

[Misterwhisper]

I could feel offended during that festival when complete strangers, pissed as newts, flash gigantic phalluses in my face... but I say nothing, because I understand it's a time-honoured tradition.

[15Peter20]

I could feel offended during that festival when complete strangers, pissed as newts, flash gigantic phalluses in my face... but I say nothing, because I understand it's a time-honoured tradition.

It's not a tradition. They just don't like you.

[ShopBoy]

someone with a dog let me walk your dog please..

[turboturtle]

It isnt real gangster dancing, kpop is just a rip off of american R and B!

[poohy]

someone with a dog let me walk your dog please..

OK Hes called Mr White and is 4 months old.... i can deliver he loves a good walk oh and a peice of chicken, Dont know his veiws on morlam music or gang nam style dancing....... but if he cant eat it and it dont taste like chicken i doubt he will be overly concerned

[jojodontyouknow]

Yes I'am walking the dog too.

I am going to grab someone else's dog ant take it for a walk!

Yes, the husband is still wrong, lol

[barefoot1988]

Funny thing is the video will bring attention to the festival and bring in more visitors

I think people should learn to sit back relax and get the sticks out of their ARSenals

perhaps bringing attention and visitors is what they dreaded? look at how people destroy songkran

[DocN]

Funny thing is the video will bring attention to the festival and bring in more visitors

I think people should learn to sit back relax and get the sticks out of their ARSenals

perhaps bringing attention and visitors is what they dreaded? look at how people destroy songkran

"People" destroy Songkhran?

Ever noticed how many Thais obviously enjoy the mayham?

My question: if a big number of Thai- people actually like to "celebrate" a traditional festival in a "new" way...how is that "destroying" it?

[TheWalkingMan]

Funny thing is the video will bring attention to the festival and bring in more visitors

I think people should learn to sit back relax and get the sticks out of their ARSenals

perhaps bringing attention and visitors is what they dreaded? look at how people destroy songkran

People operate within the boundaries allowed by the local administration. If anyone has a problem with Songkran in their area, my suggestion is that they visit the local government office to make a formal complaint or do like so many others, stay away from the madness. Oh, and I do agree that in some areas Songkran has gotten out of hand, so I avoid it at all costs.

[chooka]

someone with a dog let me walk your dog please..

I think the dog died, walked to death.

[jacnl2000]

For me personally it's always a pleasure to keep on tasting their sapporots and see a next generation of talent dancing their way into old habits of thinking.

[Sunderland]

I want to see the dog in the Gangnam Style video before I believe the truth about there being a dog at all. If there really is a dog, then I am walking it next because my dad's bigger than your dad.

[asiawatcher]

Personally I can't stand the Gangnam Garbage. I'll wave a red flag for you guys in the village.

[jrincon17]

Man, some people have skin as thick as an eggshell.

or a condom

[khaowong1]

Oh dear...

Oh dear, oh dear....

If this is "news" I'm going to take the dog for a walk

Actually, you should be taking your horse for a walk..

[surangw]

Personally I can't stand the Gangnam Garbage. I'll wave a red flag for you guys in the village.

Right up there with the short lived numa-numa dance?