Thailand

Khon is a traditional masked Thai dance, one of the most prestigious dances in the country. The dance troupe, which used to consist only of men, is always accompanied by a Thai piphat orchestra and a narrator. The ensemble tells a story through music, resembling the style of a traditional musical.

History of Khon dance

Where does Khon come from?

Historical evidence shows that Thai stagecraft was already highly developed in the 17th century. In 1687, Louis XIV of France sent a diplomat, Simon de la Loubère, to record everything he saw in the Kingdom of Siam. In his famous account, "Du Royaume de Siam," La Loubère carefully observed the classic theater of the 17th century in Siam, including an epic battle scene from a Khon performance.

Already present when the country's capital was still Ayutthaya, the traditional Khon dance, which combines theater, vocal interpretations, choreography, literature, and ancestral rituals, was reserved at the time for the king's court.

What does it tell?

Khon mostly tells episodes from the Ramakien (the Thai adaptation of the Indian Ramayana). These focus on the story of the hero Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu, who represents order and justice for the world. Rama's adventures, comparable to those of Ulysses, are epic and grandiose: between armies of monkeys, journeys through the forest, or battles against the army of Thotsakan, the king of the giants, it is impossible not to be captivated and convinced.

What is its symbolism?

Khon has an important instructive function; it advocates and teaches very important values within Thai culture, such as:

• Respect for ancestors, peers, and people of high rank
• Interdependence between leaders and the led
• Honor of rulers
• Religious triumph of good over evil

Practical information

Complete package

For 500 Baht in Bangkok, you will have a pass to visit the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), and its museum. Additionally, you will receive a ticket to attend a traditional Khon dance performance at the Royal Sala Chalermkrung Theater in Bangkok.

Performances last 25 minutes and are offered Monday through Friday at different times: 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m.

Show only

If you neither have the desire nor the time to visit temples and palaces but still want to attend the show, don't worry! You can easily purchase a ticket for the Royal Theater only. Show times vary and are not the same as with a ticket obtained at the Grand Palace. Generally, shows take place on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., but upcoming times are unpredictable. The show also lasts longer than at the Grand Palace, as the dancers perform for 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Regarding the prices of individual tickets, they are free for children under 12, and the standard price for adults varies depending on the location between 800 and 1200 Baht. However, on some ticket-selling websites, permanent discounts or sales are often granted.

Note: The theater is very cold, so be sure to dress warmly.