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In
the Past
In the past, the Chinese opera was
imported from China to perform in Thailand.
The performers were Chinese people. After
the death of Empress Dowager Tz’u-his, the
proton of the Chinese opera in China, some
of Chinese opera troupes in China
immigrated to perform in Thailand. All of the
members of Chinese opera troupes were
Chinese. After that there was trained in this
performing art in Thailand. The Chinese
opera employed girls performing in role of
hero and heroine. Parents approved the idea
of leaving their children with the Chinese
opera troupes. The parents had to make a contract to sell their children to the opera troupes. When the contract was completed, the children had to practice with rough-handed teachers. The teachers would punish the girls if the girls did not do as the teachers wanted or if the girls spoke Thai.
In the Present Day
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Thai Chinese Opera Performer |
Most Chinese opera troupes hired both males and females Thai from Northeastern part of Thailand (Isan), instead of Chinese descendents because Chinese people found that other professions are more lucrative and prestigious than being Chinese Opera performers. Other occupations were also more highly respected in the community than opera performers. Moreover, when the performers are too old to perform, they have no other skills to do other jobs. |
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For the Chinese opera teachers, they will sometimes be employed to teach in new parts for the Chinese opera troupes. There was the temporary trained teacher in the Chinese opera troupes. There was no punishment and forced speaking of Chinese because of Thai human rights law. It isn’t necessary that the actors speak Chinese; all they have to do is memorize the words required by their roles.
There was no longer any contract for selling anybody to the opera troupes, but there is normal employment, because Thai’s laws are against selling or incarcerating someone. Some Thai or Isan people like to join with Chinese opera troupes; they can travel abroad, gain knowledge of Chinese, and have a salary.
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