In the category of things that you would never expect, it is a little known fact that Thailand is in love with elevator music.
Not that I have any big problem with John Denver, but I have heard his songs more in the last 3 weeks then in the previous 3 years at home. The most humorous rendition being from our guide as we walked though the jungle north of Chiang Mai. In fact, we just missed the big John Denver tribute concert scheduled in Chiang Mai later this month.
Mix tapes of 70s and 80s elevator music hits are de rigueur at most classy establishments. If you are lucky these songs are the original versions. If you are not so lucky they are instrumental versions, or even worse, covers sung by a lesser quality Thai singer.
This seems strange until you hear Thai popular music. Basically the only Thai music I have ever heard played sounds like 80s elevator music with Thai lyrics. The stuff is truly horrid and the couple of videos I have seen on TV are even worse. Perhaps this music helps foster the chill, laid-back and happy vibe that people love about Thailand. That being said, I would take some brooding US or UK music any day of the week.
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