But for Isan migrants, the sound of Molam surviving in the city is a vital link that binds them to home. “Whatever sounds fun, we make it our own,” Arthit Mulsarn, an academic specialising in Isan culture, says of the Isan approach to music. “In Isan, Molam is usually performed at temple fairs, where the performance starts at 9pm and runs until the next morning,” said Veeraphong Wongsin, a 62-year-old Molam artist and founder of Khana Molam Phu Thai. Molam artists accustomed to all-night marathons in Isan have learned to adjust their performances to a more limited window in Bangkok, says Veeraphong Wongsin, a veteran Molam artist and founder of Khana Molam Phu Thai from Kalasin province. Where it may be headed nextMr Veeraphong of Khana Molam Phu Thai said Molam used to be niche, listened to mainly by Isan people, with each area having different dialects.

Source: Bangkok Post April 04, 2026 13:36 UTC