Lam Loke, The World of Molam is an exhibition on Molam, the traditional music and theater genre from Isan and Laos. Lao Isan people call the genre, Lam, and it is a key part of the identity of ethnic Laotians, for whom it is an expression of pride and joy. The exhibition is inspired by Jim Thompson’s fascination with Isan culture. He worked and lived in Thailand just after WWII and traveled extensively in the region. In addition to his well-known love for Isan textiles, especially silk, he was also very fond of the folk music and culture of Isan. 

This exhibition is part of a series on the music of Isan that began with a Molam competition for high school and university students that was held at Jim Thompson Farm in 2012, jointly developed by the Farm and the Jim Thompson Art Center (JTAC). In 2014, an exhibition on Molam, Joyful Khaen, Joyful Dance was held at the old Jim Thompson Art Center. 

To reach a wider audience, especially in Isan, the exhibition was reformatted and put on a custom-renovated old employee bus, The Mobile Molam Bus which toured the region and became one of the most popular event spaces at the popular Wonderfruit festival, starting from 2015 up to the present.

Photographs and text by Bangkok Post columnist John Clewley.