I'm looking for folk music singers and players

Yes, theoretically the police had every right to stop people 'working' in the music scene but you weren't working, were you? They can be very selective about which laws they apply. I think part of the problem that the concept of playing music for fun is beyond them, They probably suspected a communist plot. So I guess my percussion days are now well and truly over, Chiang Mai is a12 hour drive for me anyway. Maybe that's all for the good, at 66 you do notice certain weaknesses creeping in.

Thailand seems to be a cultural desert to me, I have rarely seen people playing Isaan music, that is to say without modern instruments and amps. Dance? There seems to be only one dance style in Isaan and I see that 9and participate) about once a year.