Isaan Village Mor Lum Concert, Thailand.

Last night I ventured out to N-Joy, an expat meeting place to watch the F.A Cup and also have a few quiet beers with some mates. Anyway the football went on till late into the night and so did the dancing, and golden oldie songs and some absolute horrors from the 80’s. What it turned out to be was an excellent night and a heap of laughs to boot.

I didn’t return home until just before 2am, I watched the last 15 minutes of the Reading V WBA game and then hit the sack. Well actually I crashed out on the sofa in front of the TV.

I awoke at about 5am and went to the bedroom, I thought I would be getting nice sleep in as Nong Ja wasn’t with us tonight, we have her for the entire week and she spent the night in the village. I didn’t understand as I am sure it wasn’t explained to me that we had to go out to the village at 9am in the morning (Sunday).

So when Miss Noot woke me at 8.30am and was telling to go and shower I had 20 questions to ask. So with heavy eyes and a slightly sore head I showered and auto piloted to the village.

In the end it was a trip to the temple to make merit (I didn’t need to be there for that), breakfast and chatting (didn’t need to be there for that either).

Finally I was told of the huge surprise, an Isaan Style Mor Lum concert. I was again asking questions as all Mor Lum concerts I have been to never start till late afternoon or evening and go until early morning.

The concert was being held about 400 metres away from the temple in a forested area. Power had been run from the temple to power the speakers that blare out the unique Mor Lum music. I had been to plenty of concerts inside temple grounds but it looks like finally they have stopped scantily clad girls and alcohol being consumed on temple grounds which is forbidden but ignored most the times.

And what surprised me more is to why they started the concert early and would finish in the afternoon, because of the drunks who cause fights. This is so common at these concerts in the village. I have seen fights taking place and they are no rules all in style, the security enters with hardwood batons and uses them. I have pictures of one concert where the army guys were carrying M16’s and shotguns. Serious shit.

There was a small crowd gathered under a tree that was providing some shade. This was 12.30pm and hot, really muggy and hot.

The people had gathered to watch these guys. There was a main man and woman singer and two young girls showing plenty of flesh.

I could tell it was only a small concert as there were only two small beer or drink stands. At some of the concerts they are everywhere with mostly the Thai whiskey or white rice whiskey being a popular choice.

Even though it was early it seemed some of the young guys were either a little tipsy or just having a good time. They were dancing Lum style and one guy was pretending to be having sex and he though this was hilarious as he thrust his hips. I like to go to the big Mor Lum concerts here in Ubon where it is a lot safer and the security is super tight. The evenings are great fun if not spoiled by drunken fools.


And this is what all the teenage boys and older guys turn up for. Yes, the music too but mostly to watch very young girls wearing hardly any clothes thrust, wriggle, and simulate moves no girls their age should be doing.

And I will leave you with this guy who was really enjoying himself.

Brunty