In Likay Ok-Phasa, expensive costumes imitating the senior high-ranking noblemen in the reign of King Rama V were used in the performance. 1910 was the first time that Likay was broadcasted on radio.
During the Second World War, The occupation of the Japanese in Thailand made it hard for theatres to perform. However, Likay survived on using inexpensive and simple costumes and selling extremely low priced tickets. It was still popular and the audience is willing to go and watch even though safety in life was not ensured.
However, Likay was highly developed in all aspects after the war. This is contributed by the success of the alliance. The troupes spent more money in order to improve the costumes and stages to motivate Likay performers and to encourage the audiences who were in low morale in the post-war period. Costumes of the main male character became even more glittering and extravagant than the ones used in the pre-war period. Embroidered vest is worn on top of a plain t-shirt. A strip of artificial diamond is used as head band and belt. During this period, other types of performance such as Thai popular country concert and famous Hindi music from Hindi movies were incorporated in Likay performance.
The increasing audiences in Likay theatre show that Likay was proved to be an effective social tool. Therefore, some popular Likay troupe was then invited to perform on television channels and was given importance by the newspapers. This higher status of Likay as an art given by the Thai society was epitomize on 4th May 1975 when The National Theatre accepted and allowed Likay of Somsak Pakdee's troupes to be performed there for the first time.
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