Lam wong dance and hired partners: Little known S-E Asian folklore

Lam wong is originally a Khmer and Laotion tradition where male and female or female couples dance around in circles.
In Thailand during luk thung style festivals, lam wong was once was a popular pastime.
People didn't have a suitable dance partner hired one.
Nowadays in Thailand this tradition is hard to find and has almost been forgotton.
In Chiang Rai however this practice is still being preserved.
At the food court at the night market every wednessday and saterday night lam wong enthousiasts can join in.
A dance partner for three songs will set you back between ฿100 and ฿200 ($3.30 - $6.60)
To remind people their dancing time has finished a whistle is blown.
The photo's below show the lam wong dance, the ladies with the pink shirts are professional lam wong dancers.