March 19, 2020

Dance is a highly important form of expression in Thailand. It has been practiced for hundreds of years and has greatly contributed to shaping the country's cultural identity. While it may be less prominent today than it once was in royal courts, dance remains an integral part of Thai heritage. Here's more about the history and the various forms of Thai traditional dances…

Dance in Thai Culture

An ancestral practice, Thai traditional dance emerged over 500 years ago during the era of the powerful Kingdom of Siam. Originally, Thai dance was divided into two categories: classical dance and folk dance. The former was reserved for the royal court, while the latter belonged to peasants, as it told the story of daily life among farmers. In any case, Thai traditional dances are not performed arbitrarily. They consist of carefully choreographed movements, each with its own meaning and significance. In total, six types of dance are distinguished: Khon and Lakhon, the two main forms, as well as Li-khe, Ram Wong, shadow puppetry, and Lakhon Lek.

Khon

Khon is the masked Thai traditional dance. Once reserved exclusively for the royal court, Khon—though it has since become more popular—remains one of the country's most prestigious forms of dance and art. Performances staged across multiple scenes are all accompanied by a Thai piphat orchestra, interpreters, and narrators. Originally restricted to men, Khon performances feature masked characters bearing strong cultural symbols such as demons, monkeys, nymphs, and divine beings. In other words, Khon is a traditional dance whose spectacles bear striking resemblance to musical theater!

Lakhon

Unlike Khon, the Lakhon dance is practiced primarily by women. It is a dance that emphasizes the upper body, as it is performed mainly with the hands—each movement carries precise meaning. The result is nothing short of graceful and delicate! Through this traditional dance, stories are told and unfold like the most folkloric of theatrical pieces. Not to mention the sumptuous costumes and sets created for each performance, which are worth seeing at least once during a trip to Thailand…

Other Thai Traditional Dances

While Khon and Lakhon are the two primary Thai traditional dances, discover the characteristics of other dance forms that also contribute to Thailand's cultural identity:

• Ram Wong: in Thai, these words mean 'dance in a circle'. As its name suggests, this folk dance brings together men and women and invites them to dance in a circular formation. It is one of the most beloved and popular dances among Thai people.
• Li-khe: it is more of a comedic spectacle than a dance performance. Indeed, Li-khe is performed by dancers and comedians who, in elaborate costumes, tell bawdy stories with often sexual innuendo!
• Shadow Puppets: though increasingly rare, shadow puppets (or nang thalung in Thai) rank among the country's oldest art forms. The performance consists of staging ghostly puppets behind a white screen.
• Lakhon Lek: it is also a puppet theater performance, but this time, the figurines are not hidden and are continuously accompanied by real actors who interact with them!

Florine Dergelet

Florine Dergelet

A web writer for over 10 years, Florine Dergelet is a traveler driven by the desire to discover the world with an open heart. Each of her articles is an invitation to slow down, listen, and understand. For her, traveling is not about checking countries off a map, but rather weaving connections—often invisible yet always powerful—with places, peoples, and all manner of creatures from the animal kingdom. Her motto? Advise travelers with integrity, raise awareness about animal welfare, respect for cultures, and the importance of humble and sustainable tourism. Because the most beautiful memories often spring forth far from the spotlight, in the shade of a trail, during a quiet conversation, or in the gentle breath of a world we finally take the time to truly listen to…