Starting from Wednesday, the government will hold a week of cultural and arts performances, known as a Mahorasop Sompoch, in Bangkok and other provinces to celebrate the coronation of King Rama X.
During the seven-day period from May 22-28, thousands of artists and performers throughout the kingdom will take part in a series of traditional performances -- some of which can be traced back centuries to the Ayutthaya era.
"Rarely seen performances such as the khon masked dance, shadow puppet and folk dances will all be featured in the Mahorasop Sompoch celebratory entertainment," said Culture Minister Vira Rojpojanarat.
Mr Vira said Thailand has a tradition of arranging entertainment and art and theatrical performances after a king's coronation ceremony. In order to preserve Thai culture, the government has assigned the Culture Ministry to organise performances to celebrate the coronation of the new King throughout the kingdom.
Mr Vira said that, in Bangkok, the cultural performances will take place at Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. There will be three stages. The main stage is in the middle of Sanam Luang. The two other stages are located to the side of the Supreme Court and at Thammasat University.
On May 22, the performances in Bangkok will kick off at 6pm on the main stage at Sanam Luang with blessing dances entitled Asirawat Thuayratnomjomrachan (People Saluting the Monarch), followed by an episode of a khon masked dance called Prabaramee Mingfa Rama-awatan (Kingly Goodness of the Rama), an excerpt from the Ramakien, the Thai version of the Ramayana, the Hindu epic.
According to the culture minister, there will be more than 600 performers involved in the opening act.
Other highlights on day one include a musical theatre piece titled Paying Homage to the Monarch performed by actress Ranee "Bella" Campen and actor Thanawat "Pope" Wattanaputi from the popular TV soap Love Destiny and Joe Louis Puppet Theatre.
The performances will be broadcast live on the Thai TV Global Network for viewers in 170 countries worldwide.
On May 23, there will be an orchestral concert titled Thasama Rachan Kwanla (King Rama X, the Pillar of the People) on the main stage and a traditional shadow puppet show called Nang Yai on the stage near the Supreme Court.
"The ancient Nang Yai is performed by artists who dance according to the storyline in front of a warmly lit background from the beginning till the end. The audience will not only see the puppets but the performers as well. Thais are only able to see Nang Yai on very special occasions," Mr Vira said.
On May 24, there will be a Thai folk song festival performed by hundreds of musicians, and choral singers on the main stage.
On the other stages, there will be Hun Krabok (bamboo puppet theatre) and Lakhon Chatri, a traditional musical and dance drama.
Hun Krabok imitates the Lakhon Ram (dance drama) by adapting the human dance movements to suit the puppets. The puppeteers must practice these movements until they are highly skilled, while Lakhon Chatri is a combination of the dramatic performances of the central region and the Nora dance of the southern region.
On May 25, there will be a Thai traditional orchestral concert performed by traditional Thai musical instrument experts and there will also be Nang Talung -- shadow puppetry from southern Thailand -- and traditional dances by ethnic groups.
On May 26, there will be an operetta titled Pasanjaipak Jongraknarubordee (United Hearts in Reverence of the King) on the main stage. Other highlights will be the Sema Thai Puppet Theatre and Nang Yai. The puppets used in Nang Yai are made from cowhide, and can be as large as two metres tall and one metre wide.
On 27 May, there will be an international performance festival in honour of the King. Ten countries will participate in this festival, namely Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Vietnam.
On 28 May, there will be a procession from the four regions of the country to offer floral offerings in honour of His Majesty, drum performances and other cultural shows.
The puppet theatre will be staged daily from 5.45pm to 6.45pm on the stage opposite the Supreme Court. The other performances will be held from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on the main stage.
Every night there will also be a light and sound show called The Light of the King's Kindness daily from 9.30pm to 11pm.
The seven-day event will also include an exhibition about King Rama X and demonstrations of Thai cuisine and khon mask-making.
"Traditional Thai performances are rarely seen these days, so this event is a great opportunity for the public to witness them live," Mr Vira said.
