Bangkok recently came out with a scheme to register and book street performers. I decided to see if my application to play, especially as part of a pipe band would be accepted. It was and after a little back and forth on an ID needed, myself/the band was able to book a Sunday afternoon spot in central Bangkok.
Five bagpipers and a (bass) drummer
Pipe Major Keith, Pipe Sergeant Mr. Nutt, Chan and myself were the five pipers in attendance. Mark was our drummer and came out with the bass drum. Unfortunately, Lead Tip George was unable to find parking, so did not join, and thus we had no snare/side drum.
Sunday, March 5th was a warm day, and as this was not a formal gig, argyle jackets and ties were deemed unnecessary. There had been previous discussion about a more informal ‘uniform’ option, but as of yet, this was what we all had and could arrive with.
On a Skywalk between malls
The area we played was between MBK center and Siam Discovery, on a skywalk above the traffic between the two popular malls. It is an area that lots of people crisscross and stop to take pictures of the traffic of the city below them.
We had a number of folk stop to take pictures and listen to the band play. Overall, it seemed pretty well received.
Play by the rules
The Bangkok Street Performer scheme seems to be new to the city, and so we wanted to make sure we followed their rules so as we might be able to play some more. Many of the rules for playing seem to be good busking etiquette. For instance:
- Do not accept cash tips
- Tips/money via a bank QR code is OK
- 1 hour at a time per booking
- Print out registration/booking to present to security if asked
- Stay in designated area
The last rule, we fudged a little bit as the sun was shining quite bright, and the marked-off designated area was in some very direct warm light. Fortunately, no security seemed to be bothered that we were following the shade outside the box.
While we had many security guards come by, and even a couple police officers, they just took some pictures and let us keep going.
In the end, our Pipe Major had us playing as many tunes/sets as he could get us to play in our 1-hour time slot. It went well, and I shall finish this with a little bit of revised Kipling:
If you can fill the unforgiving hour
With 60 minutes worth of highland piping,Yours is the skywalk and the sweaty wool hats,
R. Kipling if he were a Pipe Major, maybe….
And—which is more—you’ve earned your beer, my son!
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