Siam Niramit: A Cultural Extravaganza

Siam Niramit: A Cultural Extravaganza

With its rich history that reads like an epic novel, Thailand is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing Asian nations, replete with over 700 years of captivating culture, customs and traditions. But just how Thailand's spawning seven centuries are brilliantly captured into a 90-minute production, Siam Niramit has the answer.

Housing the Ratchada Theatre, a miniature Thai village, Sawasdee Restaurant and a souvenir shop all under one roof, the Siam Niramit compound is decked out in contemporary Thai style, with small 'salas' (gazebos) and sculptures of Kinnaree, a mythical winged creature prevalent in many Thai fables. Here you can also feed the elephants, listen to a 'ranad' (Thai xylophone) band and take pictures with characters from the show.

Four Regions in One Village

Occupying a good half of the Siam Niramit complex, the Thai village presents convincing replicas of Thai-style houses (wooden and raised on posts) from the north to south. Each village demonstrates the making of its specialties - be it food (rice pudding, roasted rice with sweet coconut and grilled omelet) or handicrafts (silk, shadow puppets, and batik). The 'villagers', who originally come from each region and speak in various Thai dialects, are kind enough to let you sample the food, or you can even try your hand at making it yourself if you wish. The highlight, however, is a short boat ride in a lotus-filled pond that gives visitors a glimpse Thai life in a bygone era. And to complete the experience, visitors can enjoy a traditional Thai massage too.

Dinner (optional) is served at Sawasdee Buffet Dinner, where a wide selection of Thai and international fare - from carbonara to chicken green curry - is on offer. An assortment of cakes, fruits and Thai desserts can also be enjoyed (please note that soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are not included in the buffet).

Dazzling Spectacle on the Word's Highest Stage

Held in the colossal 2,000-seat Ratchada Theatre, the Siam Niramit show boasts an 11.95 metre proscenium - certified by Guinness World of Records as the world's highest stage. Occupying more than half of the entire theatre space, the panoramic Ratchada Theatre stage is built to accommodate the show's monumental set pieces and a legion of performers (including real elephants and goats) to recreate a realistic ambience of Siam hundreds of years ago. The show is suitably structured into three acts: Journey Back into History, Journey Beyond Imagination: The Three Realms and Journey Through Joyous Festivals.

Reliving the Glorious Past

The lights suddenly dimmed and permeating through the darkened stage is the heart-thumping beat of 'klong sabatchai' (victory drum), followed by the graceful golden fingernail dance and sword dance. The entire stage is re-lit and awoken back to life with a scene of the Ancient Kingdom of Lanna, showing a slow-paced, yet elegant royal procession led by the King and Queen of Lanna, the earliest of Siamese reigns. A stark contrast to the north, the audience is transported down to the more animated south with the next scene: The South Sea... Traders from Overseas. Opening with 'nang talung' (shadow puppets) and the lively and colourful 'nora dance', this scene is the re-enactment of the Kingdom Sriwichai's bustling market full of foreign traders, and with a whimsical subtext of interracial crush - a representation of the harmonious existence of different faiths and races.

The next two scenes, The Northeast... Heritage of the Khmer Civilization and Central Plains... Ayutthaya: The Mighty Capital, are superbly portrayed with state-of-the-art special effects like an on-stage 'klong' (river), realistic rainfall, thunder and lighting. The audience also gets to witness local activities and festivities like 'ram lao krathop mai (bamboo dance), the singing of rice harvesting folk songs and Thai boxing matches during these scenes.

Entering the Three Realms and Joyous Festivals

Interestingly titled Journey Beyond Imagination: The Three Realms, the second act begins with Fiery Hell, the flaming inferno, where the sinned are being punished through various creative methods of torture (liars get their tongues pulled out, for instance). Followed the hell is the Mystical Himmapan, the gateway between heaven and earth where curious-looking creatures roam and the chase between Ramasoon (God of Thunder) and Mekhala (Goddess of Lighting) race the sky.

The second act ends with Blissful Heaven, the residence of the emerald-coloured skin and four-faced Indra god and floating angels. Enveloped in surreal haze, this visually-appealing last scene exudes the dreamlike quality as lithe angles dart across the stage, casting pieces of twinkling tinsel, making it one of the show's most mesmerizing moments. Siam Niramit aptly concludes with the last memorable act, Journey Through Joyous Festivals, a cheerful integration of the four region's festivals from a monk ordination ceremony and Ghost Parade to Loy Krathong (the Festival of Light).

An Experience Not to Be Missed

Billed as one of the largest stage productions in the world, Siam Niramit unfailingly brings back the glorious past of Thailand through its impressive facilities and professionally produced performance. Learn how Thai people used to live in different parts of the country at the highly-detailed recreated Thai Village, delight in a Thai and international buffet dinner (optional) before experiencing the magic of the spectacular Siam Niramit show. Thai crafts and a wide range of souvenirs from the show are also on sale.