Ayutthaya is organising a cultural extravaganza for lovers of khon, the majestic masked performance that incorporates various forms of Thai arts. Dubbed the "Ayutthaya Khon Festival", the event will take place on Sept 4-6 on the vast lawn of Chandrakasem National Museum, located in the northeastern corner of the city's Koh Muang area.
Every evening of the weekend, there will be a grand khon performance which everybody can enjoy free of charge. Before the show begins, if you're interested in khon history you can attend an exhibition or discussions on the topic in the museum buildings. A retro market with a variety of local goodies will also be available to make sure you can watch the performance with a happy stomach.
Although most of those activities will not begin until 4pm, it is recommended that you arrive a few hours earlier to check out the venue itself. The Chandrakasem National Museum, built on the site of a former palace of Ayutthaya's King Naresuan the Great while he was a prince, is worth exploring once you're already in the city. The main structures of the museum were built during renovations by King Rama IV and Rama VI. They house good collections of antiques, each piece has a story to tell about the Kingdom's past.
Details about the khon performances are not yet released but you can check for updates on the Ayutthaya Tourism and Sports page on Facebook.
Chandrakasem National Museum.
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