Khon,Hun Lakhon Kek and Siam Niramit

Be Wowed By Yesteryear's Theatrical Traditions Today

Now visitors to the capital can time travel back to 15th century Siam through performances of khon (Thai Classical Masked Dance) at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre the art-deco venue that sas the first air- conditioned cinema in all of Southeast Asia, and hun lakhon lek at the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre in the Suan Lum Night Bazar. These exciting shows are packed with traditional Thai music, bedazzling costumes and dancing mermaids. Once performed exclusively for the Royal Court, now visitors can enjoy these regal forms of entertainment.

These extravaganzas are based on the mythical Ramayana. At the nucleus of the story is how Hanuman, the white monkey warrior, came to serve the good King Rama, in his quest to defeat the demoniac overlord Thotsakan and his green-masked minions. During performances of Khon at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, English subtitles are flashed across a screen above the stage. And before the show even stars, there's a film explaining the significance of certain movements the dancers perform and details about their elaborate masks.