Intimate Neocolonial Nightlife Available to Purchase

Chapter 4 covers the period 1965–75 in Thailand, broadly known in Thailand as the American era or GI era. This was a period of transnational encounter, as American soldiers on rest and recuperation (R&R), among many others, began traveling to Thailand, in essence as tourists. These Americans and other foreigners were the primary audience for Maurice Rocco and other musicians playing in Thailand’s nightlife scenes. This chapter examines not only musicians but also other nightlife workers, including sex workers and intimate laborers, whose livelihoods depended on the GIs, and therefore on war. The intimate relationships of this era generated huge economies as well as a variety of new identity positions. The chapter discusses psychedelic sounds in Thai music; Filipino musicians; and hybridized musical genres.