Khon Masked Dance
Visitors to Bangkok looking for an authentic Thai cultural experience can watch a performance of Khon, a traditional masked dance performance based on the Indian epic Ramayana. The performance is named “Hanuman”, one of the main characters in the Ramayana story.
Accompanied by traditional Piphat music, skillful dancers wearing beautiful and colorful costumes and masks perform a Thai classical masked dance performance. The dancers’ elegant expressions made with hands, fingers, feet and body convey the emotions of the scene.
Elaborately adorned masks and costumes
Wearing silk costumes and masks adorned with elaborate details, dancers perform the Hanuman production on a stage with beautiful scenery and chariots.
After the show you can meet a number of the dancers and make your photo with them in the theatre lobby.
Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre
Once only performed in the Royal Court, the Khon masked dance performance can now be seen by everyone at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. The theatre, located in the old part of the city not far from the Grand Palace opened in 1933 as the first cinema in Bangkok.
LED Screen with English subtitles
Before the start of the performance the meaning of dance movements and the masks is explained in a short video. The actors themselves do not speak. Narrators standing to the side of the stage tell the story in Thai. English subtitles are displayed on a LED screen above the stage.
The Ramayana story
The Ramayana is an ancient Indian epic, a story of good versus evil. The Thai version of the story is called Ramakien.
The main character Rama
The story’s main character is Rama, a compassionate and virtuous person. In Hindu belief he is a reincarnation or avatar of the God Vishnu. Rama was born a prince of the Kosala Kingdom. He got married to Sita, the daughter of Mother Earth. She represents female virtue and purity.
Rama gets forced into exile for 14 years
Destined to be the next King, Rama was forced into exile for 14 years by his father King Dasharatha who granted the wish of one of his three wives Kaikeyi, who wants her own son to be the next King. Rama left the palace with his wife Sita and one of his brothers, Lakshmana, to wander the forests.
Sita kidnapped by the evil Ravana
After 13 years of living in exile they are visited by the sister of the demon Ravana, the evil King of Lanka. She tries to kill Sita but fails. In revenge, Lakshmana cuts off the nose and ears of the evil woman. Ravana decides to get back at them by kidnapping Sita and keeping her in captivity on the island of Lanka.
Hanuman the monkey warrior
Searching for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana meet Hanuman and the monkeys of the monkey Kingdom of Kishkindha who locate Sita in Lanka. Hanuman the monkey warrior transforms himself into an enormous being and jumps over the ocean to Lanka.
Sita liberated
During the war between the armies of Rama and the armies of Ravana, Rama kills Varana and liberates Sita. Together they return to the Kingdom where Rama is crowned King.
The battle of good versus evil
Location
The Khon masked classical dance performance can be seen at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. The theatre is located at 66 Charoen Krung road in Phra Nakhon district of Bangkok, near the Grand Palace and the Wat Pho.
How to get there
You can get to the theater by shuttle bus, MRT subway, taxi or tuk tuk.
Free shuttle bus
The easiest way to get there is by free shuttle bus from the Grand Palace. One way shuttle buses depart 30 minutes before the start of each show from the Phiman Deves Gate at the Grand Palace. You can use the free bus if you have an entrance ticket for the Grand Palace.
MRT subway
Take a train on the Blue Line of the MRT subway and get off at Sam Yot station. From there, it’s about a 400 meter walk to the theater.
Taxi or tuk tuk
If you are in the historical Rattanakosin district close the the theater, take a tuk tuk. Otherwise, flag down a metered taxi.
Show times
The Khon show is performed five times daily from Monday until Friday.
Shows start at 10:30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00 and 17:30 and last about 25 minutes.
Taking photos during the show is not allowed. After the show there is an opportunity to take photos with the actors.
Please dress modestly. No revealing clothes, short pants or short dresses.
Ticket price
Tickets to the Grand Palace include a free ticket for the Khon Masked Dance show.
Seating categories in the Sala Chalermkrung Theatre are:
Row A through E: Closest to the stage
Row F through K: Further back
Row L through P: Furthest from the stage.
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