Table Of ContentThe lived experience of blind street musicians in
Thailand
Quanchai Kerddaen
A thesis in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy
Social Policy Research Centre
Arts and Social Sciences
UNSW Australia
May 2018
THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES
Thesis/Dissertation Sheet
Surname or Family name: Kerddaen
First name: Quanchai Other name/s:
Abbreviation for degree as given in the University calendar: PhD
School: Social Policy Research Centre Faculty: Arts and Social Sciences
Title: The lived experience of blind street musicians in Thailand
Abstract 350 words maximum:
Although many visually impaired people in Thailand have long time undertaken street music for their everyday livelihood, little is known about them. They
tend to have experienced unprecedented economic and social exclusion across their lives. Through an examination of the lived experience of blind street
musicians in Thailand, this thesis explores the social, cultural, economic and political influences specific to disability in contemporary Thai society that
affect their lives, and indicates possible policy directions that could assist them. Applying a social constructionist and socio-economic approach, this
qualitative study involves semi-structured and unstructured interviews (nineteen men and thirteen women) and three group discussions (six to ten per
group) with blind street musicians, and interviews wi th eleven disabled activists.
Most of the blind street musicians had migrated from rural regions, and shared considerable socio-economic similarities, notably living with poverty and
inadequate social protection. Their life trajectories were limited by the structural constraints derived from societal negative views of disability, based on
Buddhist beliefs and Thai customs. This created a cumulative impact of disablement over their life course : family neglect, poor access to education and
skill training, limited employment opportunities and brittle social support networks. Ultimately , performing street music proved to be their best income
choice.
These street musicians can be separated into two groups. First, most in the older age group with lower levels of education chose to be street musicians
due to economic necessities and employment restrictions. Second, those in the younger age group with a long -standing love of music chose to undertake
street music because they believed this might be a path to mainstream work as a street musician. Both groups, however, failed to gain stable income and
suffered social stigma—being perceived as pitied beggars, rather than genuine musicians. This caused them to struggle for economic fulfilment and social
acceptance.
The thesis concludes that the current and prospective employment promotion and social protection systems for people with disabilities should enable
visually impaired people to achieve income security, a better quality of life, increase their income choices and recognise their human rights and dignity,
despite their work as street musicians.
Declaration relating to disposition of project thesis/dissertation
I hereby grant to the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make available my thesis or dissertation in whole or in
part in the University libraries in all forms of media, now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all
property rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis or dissertation.
I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstracts International (this is applicable to doctoral
theses only).
…………………………………………………………… ……………………………………..……………… ……….…………………
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no materials previously published or written by another person, or substantial proportions of
material which have been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma at UNSW or any
other educational institution, except where due acknowledgement is made in the thesis. Any
contribution made to the research by others, with whom I have worked at UNSW or elsewhere, is
explicitly acknowledged in the thesis. I also declare that the intellectual content of this thesis is the
product of my own work, except to the extent that assistance from others in the project's design
and conception or in style, presentation and linguistic expression is acknowledged.
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COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
‘I hereby grant the University of New South Wales or its agents the right to archive and to make
available my thesis or dissertation in whole or part in the University libraries in all forms of media,
now or here after known, subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1968. I retain all proprietary
rights, such as patent rights. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books)
all or part of this thesis or dissertation. I also authorise University Microfilms to use the 350 word
abstract of my thesis in Dissertation Abstract International (this is applicable to doctoral theses
only). I have either used no substantial portions of copyright material in my thesis or I have
obtained permission to use copyright material; where permission has not been granted I have
applied/will apply for a partial restriction of the digital copy of my thesis or dissertation.'
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‘I certify that the Library deposit digital copy is a direct equivalent of the final officially approved
version of my thesis. No emendation of content has occurred and if there are any minor variations
in formatting, they are the result of the conversion to digital format.’
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Date..............................................................................
Abstract
Although many visually impaired people in Thailand have long time undertaken street music for
their everyday livelihood, little is known about them. They tend to have experienced
unprecedented economic and social exclusion across their lives. Through an examination of the
lived experience of blind street musicians in Thailand, this thesis explores the social, cultural,
economic and political influences specific to disability in contemporary Thai society that affect their
lives, and indicates possible policy directions that could assist them. Applying a social
constructionist and socio-economic approach, this qualitative study involves semi-structured and
unstructured interviews (nineteen men and thirteen women) and three group discussions (six to ten
per group) with blind street musicians, and interviews with eleven disabled activists.
Most of the blind street musicians had migrated from rural regions, and shared considerable socio-
economic similarities, notably living with poverty and inadequate social protection. Their life
trajectories were limited by the structural constraints derived from societal negative views of
disability, based on Buddhist beliefs and Thai customs. This created a cumulative impact of
disablement over their life course: family neglect, poor access to education and skill training, limited
employment opportunities and brittle social support networks. Ultimately, performing street music
proved to be their best income choice.
These street musicians can be separated into two groups. First, most in the older age group with
lower levels of education chose to be street musicians due to economic necessities and
employment restrictions. Second, those in the younger age group with a long-standing love of
music chose to undertake street music because they believed this might be a path to mainstream
work as a street musician. Both groups, however, failed to gain stable income and suffered social
stigma—being perceived as pitied beggars, rather than genuine musicians. This caused them to
struggle for economic fulfilment and social acceptance.
The thesis concludes that the current and prospective employment promotion and social protection
systems for people with disabilities should enable visually impaired people to achieve income
security, a better quality of life, increase their income choices and recognise their human rights and
dignity, despite their work as street musicians.
Acknowledgements
I would like to take this wonderful opportunity to extend my best gratitude to all who have made
my PhD possible. First and foremost I wish to give my greatest appreciation to the Office of Higher
Education Commission (OHEC) who has awarded me full scholarship to pursue a PhD in Social Policy
at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Without this generous scholarship I would have
been unable to make my dream of PhD come true. I also greatly appreciate all the staff at the Office
of Educational Affairs, the Royal Thai Embassy, for scholarship arrangement, counselling and care
throughout my study in Australia, and very much thank you to Ubonratchathani University for study
leave granted.
During my PhD I must say that I have been privileged to have two of the world’s best supervisors,
Professor Karen Fisher and Professor Ilan Katz, who have devoted yourselves much farther beyond
duty. Through high-quality supervision you both have facilitated my intellectual and leadership
development in the field, improved my critical thinking and learning process, and enabled me to
overcome academic and personal challenges. I do impressively appreciate your patience, open-
mindedness, maturity, friendship and kind generosity you have conveyed to me during my study.
Your great commitment and contribution including your personal temperament will line in the
bottom of my heart with my utmost worship at all time, and I do realise that you have been the
greatest part of my PhD accomplishment.
In addition, I would like to acknowledge all of my visually impaired friends who have actively and
constructively participated in the fieldwork, despite several challenges that occurred. You have let
me learn a lot from your thoughts, ideas and experiences that have rewarded my PhD. I do hope my
PhD thesis, which we all contributed to, will benefit the development of employment promotion
and social protection systems for people with disabilities in Thailand, especially those who work as
street musicians. I also would like to acknowledge all respected disabled activists who shared your
solid knowledge, opinions, first-hand experience, powerful comments and recommendations for my
thesis.
Moreover, thank you very much to all of my Thai friends, such as Bua Niphaphun, Nick Chanick, Pat
Pattarasuda, Joop Jutamanee, Ploy Siriwimon and others, for your kind generosity and assistance
since my first arrival to Sydney. You have encouraged me to survive in the new environment. I am
greatly appreciative to all staff, students and friends at Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), such as
David Cami for your welfare arrangements, Lisa McElhinney for your administrative assistance and
advice, Ann Whitelaw for your general support, Dr. Jan Idle for your always care for my health and
wellbeing, Dr. Alec Sewell and Dr. Jie Wang for your friendship and kind generosity and Dr. Ariella
Meltzer for your thesis writing guidance. I also would like to pass on my big thanks to the Faculty of
Arts and Social Sciences at UNSW for your provision of research and conference funds.
As so much unforgettable I do specially appreciate Dr. Charlotte Smedley for always keeping your
eyes on my welfare while in Sydney. Whenever I have confronted difficulties, you help sort out all
the problems wisely, quickly and effectively. I must name Dr. Richard NG, a general practitioner at
UNSW Health Service Centre, for helping me maintain good health physically and mentally, in order
to be able to work on my thesis regularly. I am also indebted to UNSW Residential Community for
your accommodation arrangements and discount rates granted throughout my study, to UNSW
Foundation for your temporary financial assistance, to UNSW Student Equity and Disability Unit
(SEDU) for your transcription and learning services including orientation and mobility training, and
to UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre for taking care of me during exercising and offering me free
membership.
I would like to express my sincere thanks to my review panel members, A/Professor kylie valentine,
Dr. Trish Hill, Dr. Fiona Hilferty and A/Prof Bruce Bradbury for your positive comments and feedback
on my thesis. I do also accredit Prof Sue Starfield, Dr. Jamie Roberts and Dr. Leann Dowse for
research training and development, especially Dr. Jamie Roberts for helpful comments and
recommendations on drafts of my thesis. I am so grateful to Katherine Cummings for excellent
proofreading and editing with friendly fees.
I would like to thank my mother and those who have always encouraged me during my PhD
journey, including my close relatives, friends and colleagues at the Faculty of Political Science,
Ubonratchathani University, for your helpful recommendations and morale support.
I also would like to grant my gratefulness to my former university professors, A/Prof Wiwatchai
Atthakor, Prof Sombat Thamrongthanyawong and Prof Mark Priestley, who kindly wrote a
recommendation letter in support of my PhD application at UNSW. As well I need to pass on my
great appreciation to my former teachers at Bangkok School for the Blind, to those at Korat
Pitayakhom School and those at Rajasima Witayalai School, including to my former lecturers and
professors at Chulalongkorn University, to those at the University of Leeds and to those at National
Institute of Development Administration for previous education and training, as well as your always
kind recommendations.
Finally I wish to pass on the best of my gratitude and appreciation to four of my late tributes. The
first is my beloved father, Mr. Boonsong Kerddaen, who always cared for me although he had
become a Buddhist monk since my adolescence. Whenever he saw me or met with other relatives
who remained in regular contact with me, he passed on his regards and morale support to me
compassionately. The second is my kind and supportive auntie, Ms Panadda Kerddaen, who took
care of me instead of my parents during my childhood where I was first diagnosed as having visual
impairment and was confronted with family breakdown. I could survive with her warm love and
care. She was the first who gave genuine attention to my school education. The third is Mr. Renn
Fuller, an American English teacher at Bangkok School for the Blind, who first became my English
learning inspiration, helped finance my school education and enabled me to live my life socially,
materially and economically well. The last is Dr. Prayat Phunong-Ong, a visually impaired person
himself and the friend of Mr. Renn Fuller, who supported me and made me realise the ultimate goal
of education. As the founder of Christian Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, he brought me from
my hometown to the Educational Service Centre for the Blind in Nakhon Rajasima, where I had
completed secondary and high school education. Dr. Prayat also prepared me for the most
competitive national university entrance examination to Chulalongkorn University. He also gave me
financial support during my university education. All these persons have become the most
important part of my life who have changed my life forever. I do really regret that they both cannot
enjoy the genuine sense of my PhD success, but I do dedicate all this success to all of them.
