Asian Social Science; Vol. 9, No. 15; 2013 ISSN 1911-2017 E-ISSN 1911-2025 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education 172 Thai Contemporary Dance Suphannee Boonpeng 1 , Surapone Virulrak 2 & Wutthipong Roadkhasemsri 1 1 Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Mahasarakham University, Khamriang Sub-District, Kantarawichai District, Maha Sarakham Province, Thailand 2 35/160 Noble House Phyathai, Phyathai Road, Ratchathevi, Bangkok, Thailand Correspondence: Suphannee Boonpeng, 376/170 Salintara 30 BW, Rama 3 Road, Bangklo, Bangkolaem, Bangkok 10120, Thailand. E-mail: obbonearth@gmail.com Received: June 29, 2013 Accepted: August 7, 2013 Online Published: October 29, 2013 doi:10.5539/ass.v9n15p172 URL: http://dx.doi.org/ass.v9n15p172 Abstract Thai contemporary dance is the fusion of various dance forms and has evolved in Thai society in accordance with Western influences on Thai culture. This qualitative research examines the background, style and form of contemporary dance in Thailand in order to determine a model for future creation of dance. The investigation identifies four distinct periods in the history of Thai contemporary dance that have seen three clear style concepts emerge: dance based on popular literature, dance based on social experience and original artistic creations. There are four steps in dance creation that influence the overall choreographic creation, which are input, process, output and outcome. Thai contemporary dance depends on social conditions, the economy, politics and industry, as well as the important factors of choreographer, audience and inheritor. This research concludes that, for successful construction of Thai contemporary dance in the future, the choreographers must constantly invent, develop or establish quality individual creative concepts and methods that can be used to attract the interest of an ever-changing audience. Keywords: choreography, dance, reconstruction, contemporary, Thai identity 1. Introduction Contemporary Dance in Thailand dates back more than 60 years. Although the form and background of Thai Contemporary Dance is now starting to be discussed, there is little formal information available other than some old documents and photographs. As a result, there has been little information available to analyze the impact of various dance forms, especially Western Modern Dance and Western Ballet, which are viewed as being the most important influencers on the evolution of contemporary dance in Thailand. Dance in Thailand from the past to the present day has been a form of presenting the creative results of dance that depicts Thai identity. Nowadays, this is the most popular form of dance in modern organized performances. It is common among the new generations for Thai dance to be perceived as slow, long and repetitive with movements and postures that are similar, even though new performances are frequently created. This is because the same basic dance movements are used to produce performances to new music and no new postures are created. Thus, Thai dance may seem unchanging in comparison to the short-term, hurried nature of global society that expresses emotions and requirements. However, Thai dance remains a valuable and beautiful national treasure for descendants to conserve. Dances as culturally structured movement systems are social and cultural constructs that exist in memory. These systems are recalled as movement motifs, imagery and as systems, and are used to create compositions that produce social and cultural meaning in performance. Performance is a cultural practice of representation. Cultural practice and its representation inevitably enter the realms of ideology, politics, beliefs, ethnicity, traditions and many others (Nor, 2003, p.3). Practice and performance of Thai dance, including its rules and many conventions are important characteristics of art that fit with established attitudes, beliefs and expression of different customs. These must be conserved by the new generation of Thai dancers, only a few of whom truly understand its value and importance of practice according to rules and strict regulations. This lack of realization causes a scarcity of standard performances that are accepted in each region, especially when considering the changing requirements of audiences, who are only able to watch the same performances. The audiences and those presenting the art thus need new styles that are