Bangkok Cultural Treats

Bangkok has always been a city of cultural diversity, and that has long been reflected through a wide range of performing arts and entertainment, from the traditional 'Khon' (classical masked dance) and 'Likay' (Thai folk dance), to the glitz and glam of world-famous ladyboy shows - and even international Broadway productions. Bangkok has also been host to many big names in the entertainment business; the likes of concert pianists and prima ballerinas, soulful tenors and soprano divas... (see What's On Performing Arts for up-and-coming events in this vein)

Unquestionably Thailand's leading performing arts institution, the Patravadi Theatre is widely known as an important venue for staging a variety of productions, ranging from classical to innovative and contemporary shows. Above all, the name Patravadi connotes an enduring commitment to developing and promoting the performing arts and performing artists in Thailand.

If you're looking for the ultimate cultural fix, try Khon, one of the most revered forms of performing arts in Thailand. Khon is a masked-dance dramatisation of the classic epic Ramakien (based on India's Ramayana), performed by troupes of non-speaking dancers. The story is told by a chorus at the side of the stage, and the choreography follows traditional models rather than attempting to innovate. Costumes are dictated by tradition, with demons wearing ornately coloured masks. The lavish costumes and graceful gestures and movements are what give a Khon performance such a unique edge. You can catch a show at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, which is until December 2007 hosting a production about Hanuman, the charismatic monkey god and faithful servant of Rama. Read our Hanuman the Mighty review to find out more.

If you plan to shop at Suan Lum Night Bazaar, don't miss Joe Louis Puppet Theatre. This critically-acclaimed puppetry will wow you with intricate movements and a fascinating storyline. Earlier this year, it was awarded the best traditional puppet show at the International Puppet Festival in Praque. For a spectacular feast for the eyes, make your way to Ratchadapisek Road, where Siam Niramit seems to have taken up permanent residency. Take a journey into the enchanted Kingdom of Siam and prepare to have your breath taken away by this larger-than-life production.

To find out about up-and-coming high-cultural events in The Big Mango, take a look at our Performing Arts What's On section.

To package together all the grandeur of historical and spiritual Siam in a 80-minute stage production seems a formidable task. Siam Niramit has accomplished this using the best possible method: classic Thai finesse.

Located in the Ratchadda Grand Theatre, which boasts one of the biggest stages in the world, the production makes full use of its enormous stage with spectacular sets and a long list of performers sporting over 500 elaborately designed costumes. On top of this, enhanced special effects with state-of-the-art technical expertise and equipment are used to produce a stimulating, very realistic and inspiring experience.

The first of three acts covers over seven centuries of diverse Siamese cultural heritage, from Chinese and Muslim traders in the South, Khmer in the Northeast, the Lanna Kingdom in the North, and the Ayuthayya Kingdom in central Siam. During the second act, the binding spiritual Law of Karma shared among all Thais is presented through aspects of merit making. The realms of Heaven, Hell, the mystical Himappan Forest, and the Pleasure Realm of Lord Indra are also covered. The third and final act underlines the benefits of making merit in this life, where year-round merit making and religious festivals are enjoyed in joyful celebration.

Cultural value is regarded as Siam Niramit's core; Thai history, art, culture, and tradition are brought together with modern technology (not burdened by it) to produce a new standard of cultural performance. The gaudiness of over-emphasis on technology is therefore avoided to bring about the true beauty and integrity of Thai culture. Restaurants offering local cuisine in a rustic Thai village at the 1.5-billion baht Siam Niramit complex can seat up to 800 guests, where local hard-to-find Thai cuisine can be enjoyed. An excellent option for couples, families or a group of friends on a night out, Siam Niramit provides one-of-a-kind magic not to be missed!

Tickets are 1,500 baht and exclude dinner.

Open: Everyday 20:00
Location: 19 Tianruammit Road, Huaykwang
Contact: +66 (0)2 649 9222

Established in 1992 by Patravadi Mejudhon, an award winning actress, director and playwright, the Patravadi Theatre complex provides a centre for Thai classical performing arts. Blending avant garde with classical Thai dancing can produce some refreshingly different perspectives on traditional performances.

Training of Thai classical dance and drum classes in the garden are held late every Friday and Saturday afternoon. Foreigners are welcomed to participate for only 150 baht per class. There are comfortable rooms and small apartments with kitchen in the compound if you would like to homestay in the theatre environment.

Buddhism theatre is every Sunday from 14:00 where meditation and yoga classes are taught. In the evenings of every Saturday  there are high quality performances by Thailand's top performers. Sunday at 18:00 watch performances of young talents while dining or sipping coffee in the garden restaurant, enjoying the arts and the natural environment of the old neighbourhood.

Additional performances of Thai classical and modern dances are also preformed at the riverside Supatra restaurant near the theater complex.

Open: Everyday
Location: 69/1 Soi Wat Rakang (Take a cab to Maharat pier near the Grand Palace and then ferry across the river.)
Contact: +66 (0)2 412 7287

While there are classical Thai dance shows all around the city, it's the river that provides the best setting. Several riverside restaurants specialise in these cultural evenings which, although oriented towards tourists, are well done and worth seeing.

The Chao Phraya Cultural Centre offers a combination of seafood, classical dance and craft demonstrations. Located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, this centre presents the culture and history of Thailand. A range of handicrafts are made and displayed. Visitors can watch the craftspeople at work from 18:00 - 22:00. They can then purchase these beautiful crafts including painted umbrellas, pottery and Thai silk. Each evening, a cultural show is presented from 18:00. First, enjoy a buffet dinner of traditional Thai food. After your meal, a short film will be shown about Thailand and life on the Chao Phraya River. Then relax and enjoy the showcase of traditional Thai music and dance. Make reservations early for good seats

Open: 17:00 - 23:00
Location: 94 Soi Charoen Nakorn 21 (near Sathorn Bridge)
Contact: +66 (0)2 439 3477-8

Sala Rim Nam offers a wide choice of Thai dining; a buffet lunch (12:00 - 14:00) and set-menus for dinner, or choose to dine al fresco at the Terrace Rim Naam which offers an exotic a la carte menu at night. Housed in a richly decorated Thai pavilion, originating from Northern Thailand, the restaurant is also the setting for one of the Kingdom's unique cultural experiences - classical Thai dancing, performed before your table every night.

Open: 19:00 - 23:00. Show starts at 20:30
Location: The Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue, Soi Burapha
Contact: +66 (0)2 437 3080

Supatra Riverhouse is an authentic Thai style house on the banks of the river and makes a great choice for a pre-theatre dinner if you're thinking of visiting the Patravadi Theatre close by, which is also famous for the performing arts. The restaurant at Supatra Riverhouse stages classical dance shows during the high season (November - April) as well. Free shuttle boat from Maharaj Pier.

Open: 17:00 - 23:00
Location: 266 Soi Wat Rakhang, Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi
Contact: +66 (0)2 411 0305

This is unlike any puppet performance you have ever seen. Instead of remaining behind screens during the performance, the puppeteers are an integral part of the show. Traditional puppets give performances of the Ramayana (or Ramakien in Thai), the Indian epic tale, drenched in all kinds of intriguing plots.

If it sounds terribly highbrow and boring, it isn't. The choreography and coordination of the puppeteers, as they move around the stage, is mesmerising. Each puppet is controlled by three puppeteers visible on stage, who work together in perfect unison to produce the incredibly lifelike human movements of each puppet.

The puppeteers are classically trained dancers who imitate the movements of the puppets to literally bring them to life, capturing gestures and nuances. During the performance, the puppets are brought out into the audience. Hanuman the mischievous monkey king moves among the audience, while the female puppet cleverly charms the men. Even teenagers in the audience (dragged along by their parents for their obligatory dose of Thai culture) will be suitably impressed.

The Joe Louis Puppet troupe is the last in Thailand to still perform the 'Hun Lakhon Lek,' traditional small puppet play. Once an exuberant celebration of culture, this intricate art form declined after the reign of King Chulalongkorn and almost died out. Joe Louis (originally a mispronunciation of Liew) learned the skills as a child from his parents and began to make his own puppets, giving performances throughout the country. When he died, his wife continued with the theatre. The art form is now continued by his seven children, and in the process of being passed on to his grandchildren. Outside in the foyer are displays of the puppets, exquisitely decorated with coloured glass, a history of this incredible art and lots of information.

The show lasts an hour, just long enough to appreciate the subtlety and skill of the performance. The foyer contains an area which documents the history of the theatre and a display of how traditional masks are made.

Located at Suan Lum Night Bazaar (corner of Wireless and Rama 4 Roads), it is the perfect excuse to combine a visit to the theatre with a night-time shopping trip. The Night Bazaar is a smaller version of the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, selling crafts, souvenirs, clothes, lighting, candles all kinds of lifestyle items, and much, much more.

Open: Puppet show: 19:30 - 20:45. Puppet museum: 18:30 - 19:15
Location: Suan Lum Night Bazaar
Contact: +66 (0)2 252 9683-4
Subway: MRT Lumpini Station