Performances, workshops, and galleries showcasing Thailand's classical arts — dance, puppetry, and music.
Khon performances (masked classical Thai dance) at major theaters; some tourist-oriented restaurants include short shows with dinner.
Hun kraeng (shadow puppets) and hun kramanut (jointed puppets) performances at specialty theaters and cultural centers.
Learn traditional instruments (khim, ranat) at cultural centers; usually 1–3 hour sessions, 500–1,500 THB.
Bangkok Art & Culture Center, Jim Thompson House, Patravadi Theatre — check schedules online.
Khon (masked classical dance-drama depicting the Ramakien epic) and Lakhon (more fluid court dance) are the two major classical forms still performed regularly — see the Thai classical dance guide for how to tell them apart and what each performance actually depicts.
The National Theatre near Sanam Luang hosts the most authentic performances, though shows aren't daily — Sala Chalermkrung (see the dedicated guide) offers a more consistent schedule aimed partly at visitors.
Several restaurants pair a shortened classical dance performance with a Thai dinner set — a lower-commitment way to see the art form if a full theatre booking doesn't fit your schedule.
National Theatre performances aren't scheduled daily, so checking well ahead of a trip is worth doing if seeing a genuine Khon performance is a priority.