. The philosophical roots of
phleng pheua chiwit was in the Art for Life movement led by Marxist thinker
Chit Phumisak in 1957. Phleng phuea chiwit originated from the events of 14 October 1973, when student and popular protests drove off the "three tyrants." The earliest phleng phuea chiwit band was called
Caravan, which was formed after the 1973 student massacre. In the 1980s, after the return of Caravan and their comrades, the band signed a contract with EMI Thailand and recorded an album. The songs on the album were drawn from the era of phleng phuea chiwit and "Phleng Patiwat" (Revolutionary Song). With better sound systems and musical instruments than before, Caravan was able to perform a concert for UNICEF in 1982 at the main auditorium of Thammasat University. They performed the song "Khuen Rang" (Return to the Nest), which marked the beginning of the trend of adapting to the new music business system. In this era, phleng phuea chiwit songs were produced for commercial purposes, unlike in the past when they were written to support political ideologies. Caravan also experimented with new musical styles, such as Surachai Jantimathawn incorporating rock bands as backup. The band faced severe criticism for imperfections in their performances and ideologies. However, they learned and trained themselves, eventually competing in the Thai music business. This allowed Caravan to establish themselves as professionals, gaining the freedom to express themselves in their own unique way, which was eventually accepted by the public. Later, a band named Carabao, which followed in the footsteps of Hammer, became incredibly successful in managing the business side of the music industry. Carabao's song "Waniphok" was a major success, reviving the phleng phuea chiwit trend and becoming a defining moment in the Thai music scene. Additionally, bands and artists such as Pongsit Kamphee, Caravan, Phongthep Kradonchamnan, Carabao, Hope, Kon Dan Kwian, Ritthiporn Insawang, Su Boonliang, Niranam, Zuzu, Indochine, Kanthai, and many others played a significant role in propelling the phleng phuea chiwit movement to new heights. Over time, phleng phuea chiwit evolved from protest songs and ideological expressions to songs that reflected societal issues. They gradually shifted away from political violence and became more focused on addressing political trends, economic changes, and the rise of capitalism and consumerism. Folk music's entry into the Thai music market was a strategic success, helping it expand widely and gain mainstream acceptance. ==Styles==