Cultural Influences Affecting Dance Values: A Case Study of Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Abstract

This research aims to study cultural invasion from the countries inside and outside of the Asian Economic Community - AEC, that affects values on traditional dance among the Thai and Lao societies; the cultures of these two countries are related and similar. The approach of foreign cultures; therefore, impacts the two cultures in the same direction. The research found that natural characteristics of the new generations adapt to the global economic and social changes based on five variables; media and technology, music and entertainment businesses, education, fashion, and food. These affect values of the Thai people evidently, especially media and technology that is the core where other variables are passed through. This results in unconscious information absorption of the cultures; this leads to a new culture adoption which results in changes of cultures and ways of life. This impacts values in traditional dance, leading to the lack of human resources that could help continue the work of traditional dance. Strengthening youth that will become Thailand’s future driving force needs to start from cultivating the right values. Guidance from family and teachers are encouraged to give comprehension, awareness, admiration and conservation of the national cultures, to further select, adapt, and comprehend cultural invasion effectively.