Calypso Cabaret The Calypso Cabaret in Bangkok offers you an evening of laughter, dazzling lights, beautiful 'women' and a lot of fun. Located at the Asia Hotel... more
Cultural Show
Soak up the atmosphere of Old Siam. A traditional Thai banquet accompanied by a classical dance performance. A fascinating blend of modern and traditional dance / drama at the theatre, or a wonderfully relaxing dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya river against a backdrop of Thai temples.
Siam Niramit
Situated on Thiam Ruammit Road off Ratchadaphisek Road, about 100 metres from the Thailand Culutral Center. Siam Niramit is a one-of-a-kind cultural theme complex offerring a world-class spectacular performance in a 2000-seat theatre.
The 80-minute show features 3 stories of Thailand's cultural heritage: Journey Back into History, Journey Beyond Imagination: The Three Realms and Journey Through Joyous Festivals, with the magic of state-of-the-art technology and special effects.
The show starts nightly at 8 pm. but visitors should arrive at 7 pm. to join a free guided tour to a Thai village in the compound. Restuarants and souvenir shops are also available. Open: Everyday 20:00 Location: 19 Tianruammit Road, Huaykwang Contact: 02 649 9222
Patravadi Theatre Since than, Patravadi Theatre has become widely known as an important venue for staging a variety of productions, ranging from classical to innovative and contemporary styles. Above all, the name Patravadi connotes an enduring commitment to developing and promoting the performing arts and performing artists in Thailand.
Every Sunday evening from 6pm-9pm
At the open air stage in the garden while dining casually and watch variety of performances and sing along with our singing coach. Free admission
Open: Everyday Location: 69/1 Soi Wat Rakang (Take a cab to Maharat pier near the Grand Palace and then ferry across the river.) Contact: 02 412 7287
Classical Dance Shows
While there are classical Thai dance shows all around the city, it's the river that provides the best setting. Several riverside restaurants specialise in these cultural evenings which, although oriented towards tourists, are well done and worth seeing. The Chao Phraya Cultural Centre offers a combination of seafood, classical dance and craft demonstrations. Located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, this centre presents the culture and history of Thailand. A range of handicrafts are made and displayed. Visitors can watch the craftspeople at work from 18:00 - 22:00. They can then purchase these beautiful crafts including painted umbrellas, pottery and Thai silk. Each evening, a cultural show is presented from 18:00. First, enjoy a buffet dinner of traditional Thai food. After your meal, a short film will be shown about Thailand and life on the Chao Phraya River. Then relax and enjoy the showcase of traditional Thai music and dance. Make reservations early for good seats Open: 17:00 - 23:00 Location: 94 Soi Charoen Nakorn 21 (near Sathorn Bridge) Contact: +66 (0)2 439 3477-8
Sala Rim Namoffers a wide choice of Thai dining; a buffet lunch (12:00 - 14:00) and set-menus for dinner, or choose to dine al fresco at the Terrace Rim Naam which offers an exotic a la carte menu at night. Housed in a richly decorated Thai pavilion, originating from Northern Thailand, the restaurant is also the setting for one of the Kingdom's unique cultural experiences - classical Thai dancing, performed before your table every night. Open: 19:00 - 23:00. Show starts at 20:30 Location:The Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue, Soi Burapha Contact: +66 (0)2 437 3080
Supatra Riverhouseis an authentic Thai style house on the banks of the river and makes a great choice for a pre-theatre dinner if you're thinking of visiting the Patravadi Theatre close by, which is also famous for the performing arts. The restaurant at Supatra Riverhouse stages classical dance shows during the high season (November - April) as well. Free shuttle boat from Maharaj Pier.
Open: 17:00 - 23:00 Location: 266 Soi Wat Rakhang, Arun Amarin Road, Bangkok Noi Contact: +66 (0)2 411 0305
Joe Louis Puppet Theatre
Unlike any puppet performance you have ever seen. Instead of remaining behind screens during the performance, the puppeteers are an integral part of the show. Traditional puppets give performances of the Ramayana (or Ramakien in Thai) the Indian epic tale, full of plots and sub-plots.
If it sounds terribly highbrow and boring, it isn't. The choreography and co-ordination of the puppeteers, as they move around the stage, is mesmerising. Each puppet is controlled by 3 puppeteers visible on stage, who work together in perfect unison to produce the incredibly lifelike human movements of each puppet.
The puppeteers are classically trained dancers who imitate the movements of the puppets to literally bring them to life, capturing gestures and nuances. During the performance, the puppets are brought out into the audience - Hanuman the white monkey king mischievously moves among the audience, while the female puppet cleverly charms the men. Even the foreign teenagers in the audience (obviously dragged along by their parents for their obligatory dose of Thai culture) were suitably impressed.
Once a popular art, puppeteer declined after the reign of King Chulalongkorn and almost died out. Joe Louis (originally a mispronunciation of Liew) learned the skills as a child from his parents and began to make his own puppets, giving performances throughout the country. When he died, his wife continued with the theatre. Outside in the foyer are displays of the puppets, exquisitely decorated with coloured glass, a history of this incredible art and lots of information.
The show lasts one hour, just long enough to appreciate the subtlety and skill of the performance. The foyer contains an area which documents the history of the theatre and a display of how traditional masks are made.
Located in Suan Lum Night Bazaar(off Wireless Road), you can combine a visit to the theatre with a shopping trip. The Night Bazaar is a much smaller and more limited version of the famous Chatuchak weekend market, selling smart souvenirs, clothes, lighting, candles and lifestyle items - all incredibly good value. Open: Puppet show: 19:30 - 20:45. Puppet museum: 18:30 - 19:15 Location: Suan Lum Night Bazaar
Contact: 02 252 9683-4 Subway: MRT Lumpini Station
