The National Theatre of Bangkok

The National Theatre of Bangkok

A cultural stop on the Bangkok audio-guided tour, the National Theatre stands next to the museum, inaugurated in 1965 to preserve and pass on the Thai performing arts.

The khon and the arts of the court

The venue is best known for its performances of khon, a masked dance theatre, once reserved for the royal court and inspired by the great national epic, the Ramakien. The masked dancers perform precise gestures, while narrators tell the story and a traditional orchestra accompanies the stage.

What to see

Alongside this majestic style, the theatre hosts more popular forms: likay, colourful and full of humour, lakhon, more graceful and poetic, and the shadow theatre called nang yai. Far more than a building, it is a living showcase of Thai culture.

Practical information

The National Theatre is in the Phra Nakhon district, next to the National Museum. Programming and performance times should be checked depending on the season with the institution.

What is khon ?

A masked dance theatre, once reserved for the royal court and inspired by the Ramakien epic.

When was the National Theatre inaugurated ?

In 1965, to preserve and pass on the Thai performing arts.